Qualaquin (Quinine Sulfate)

Name: Qualaquin
Brand: Generic
SKU: 6462
Availability: InStock

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Product

Manufacturer

Country

Dosage

Qty-Price (USD)

There is no brand product of Qualaquin.

Generic Equivalent of Qualaquin

Type

Product

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Type:

Product: Quinine Sulfate Capsule

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: Canada

Dosage: 200 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Quinine Sulfate Capsule (ON BACKORDER)

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: Canada

Dosage: 300 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Quinine Sulfate Tablet

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: United Kingdom

Dosage: 300 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Quinine Sulfate Tablet (Dispensing Note)

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: United Kingdom

Dosage: 300 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Qualaquin Information

medically reviewed by Dr. HaVy Ngo, Pharmacist on August 13, 2025.

Qualaquin and Quinine Sulphate

Brand Qualaquin (quinine sulphate) is currently unavailable at this pharmacy.

Generic quinine sulphate is sourced from manufacturers that meet applicable regulatory standards. The specific manufacturer of your dispensed medication may vary.

Important Information about Generic Qualaquin:

Generic quinine sulphate contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name Qualaquin and is required to meet the same safety, effectiveness, and quality standards as the brand-name product. This means it's designed to work in the same way as quinine sulphate, also known as Qualaquin. Studies have demonstrated bioequivalence between generic and brand-name quinine sulphate, meaning they have comparable absorption rates and overall effects. However, individual responses to any medication can vary. If you have any questions about using generic quinine sulphate, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about generic drug approval and bioequivalence, please visit Access to Generic Drugs in Canada | Canada.ca.

Dosage

Quinine sulfate is commonly available in oral capsule form, in doses of 200 mg and 300 mg (at this pharmacy).

Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your individual needs and medical history.

Usage

Qualaquin (quinine sulphate) is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children 16 years of age and older. It is typically used in combination with other anti-malarial agents (e.g., doxycycline, tetracycline, or clindamycin), especially when other agents are not effective or are contraindicated.

Mechanism of Action
Qualaquin (quinine sulphate) is an anti-malarial drug. While its precise mechanism of anti-malarial activity is not entirely understood, it is known to inhibit nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, and glycolysis in Plasmodium falciparum. It can also bind with hemozoin in parasitized erythrocytes. These actions disrupt the parasite's ability to multiply in red blood cells, helping the body fight off the malaria infection. Quinine also has neuromuscular blocking activity and can increase the muscle refractory period. While it was historically used for leg cramps, the FDA has issued a strong warning against this use due to severe and life-threatening side effects, concluding that the risks outweigh any potential benefit.

Take Qualaquin exactly as your doctor prescribes, following the instructions in the product monograph in Canada. Consult your doctor for personalized guidance and safe use.

The information below summarizes some, but not all, potential side effects, risks, and interactions. Before taking Qualaquin, it is essential to discuss all possible side effects, risks, and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

The information below is a partial list of side effects; individual reactions can vary. Before starting Qualaquin, it is crucial to discuss potential side effects and risks with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common Side Effects - The following are some common side effects of Qualaquin, often referred to as "cinchonism," which occurs to some degree in almost all patients taking quinine; other side effects may also occur. Contact your doctor promptly if any side effects are persistent, worsening, or concerning, or if you experience any other concerning symptoms.
• Abdominal pain
• Blurred vision or disturbance in colour perception
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Flushing
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Vomiting

Serious Side Effects - These are rare but potentially severe side effects. Seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services if you experience any of the following:
• Allergic reactions: Severe rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema), difficulty breathing, wheezing, or anaphylaxis.
• Blood disorders:
o Agranulocytosis (severe drop in white blood cells)
o Aplastic anemia (failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells)
o Blackwater fever (acute intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and hemoglobinemia)
o Hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), especially in patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
o Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), including immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)/hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), can be fatal or life-threatening. Symptoms include easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or pinpoint red spots on the skin.
• Cardiac arrhythmias: QT prolongation and severe ventricular arrhythmias, including Torsades de Pointes. Symptoms include fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or severe dizziness.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially during pregnancy. Symptoms include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet.
• Kidney problems: Signs include a change in the amount of urine passed, anuria (no urine production), dark urine, or blood in the urine. Chronic renal impairment has been associated with TTP.
• Liver problems: Signs include dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Myasthenia gravis exacerbation: Increased muscle weakness.
• Optic neuritis: May exacerbate active optic neuritis, leading to changes in eyesight or loss of eyesight.
• Seizures
• Severe skin reactions: Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)).

Contraindications

The following is not an exhaustive list of contraindications. Before starting Qualaquin, it is crucial to discuss all your medical conditions, past and present, and all medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Qualaquin should not be used if:
• You have a prolonged QT interval (a heart rhythm disorder).
• You have G6PD deficiency (risk of hemolytic anemia).
• You have known hypersensitivity reactions to quinine, quinidine, or mefloquine (due to cross-sensitivity). This includes a history of thrombocytopenia, ITP, TTP, HUS, or blackwater fever associated with quinine.
• You have myasthenia gravis (due to neuromuscular blocking activity).
• You have optic neuritis (may exacerbate the condition).
• You are taking certain medications that prolong the QT interval or interact significantly.
• It is being used for nocturnal leg cramps (not approved and carries serious risks).

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, past and present, before starting Qualaquin. This is crucial because certain conditions affect whether Qualaquin is right for you. These conditions may include, but are not limited to:
• Any history of serious bleeding or blood disorders (e.g., low platelet count, hemolytic anemia)
• Any unusual or allergic reaction to quinine or related medications (quinidine, mefloquine)
• Diabetes mellitus (may affect blood sugar control)
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• Heart problems, especially prolonged QT interval, slow heartbeat, or other abnormal heartbeats
• History of low potassium levels
• History of severe or persistent tinnitus
• Kidney problems or impaired renal function (may require dose adjustment in severe chronic cases)
• Liver problems or impaired hepatic function (caution with severe impairment)
• Myasthenia gravis
• Optic neuritis

Drug Interactions

Before taking Qualaquin, it is essential to discuss all potential risks and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist. For complete and up-to-date information, please visit Qualaquin Prescription & Dosage Information - eMPR.com at https://www.empr.com/drug/qualaquin/.

Provide your doctor with a complete list of all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is also essential to inform your doctor about any herbal teas, recreational drugs, or significant dietary changes you are making, as these could potentially interact with Qualaquin. Qualaquin may interact with other medicines, but is not limited to:
• Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium: May delay or decrease quinine absorption.
• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): Quinine can increase the anticoagulant effect, increasing bleeding risk. Close monitoring of INR is recommended.
• Antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine): Increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias due to additive QT prolongation. Concomitant use with quinidine is contraindicated due to cross-sensitivity.
• Anti-malarial drugs (e.g., mefloquine, halofantrine): Concomitant use with mefloquine is generally not recommended due to increased risk of seizures and cardiac effects.
• Cimetidine: May increase quinine levels.
• Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., edrophonium, neostigmine, physostigmine, pyridostigmine): Quinine has neuromuscular blocking activity and may exacerbate their effects.
• CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., certain antifungals like ketoconazole, some macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin, grapefruit juice): May increase quinine levels, increasing the risk of side effects.
• CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, St. John's Wort): May decrease quinine levels, reducing its effectiveness. • Digoxin: Quinine can increase digoxin levels.
• Drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., certain antipsychotics, antidepressants, macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin, antiarrhythmics, pimozide): Increased risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. Concomitant use should be avoided.
• Grapefruit juice: May increase quinine levels.
• Neuromuscular blocking agents: Quinine may enhance the effects of these agents.
• Rifampin: May decrease quinine levels, reducing its effectiveness.
• Ritonavir: May increase quinine levels.
• Thioridazine: Concomitant use is contraindicated due to increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Qualaquin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Quinine crosses the placenta and has been associated with fetal abnormalities (including deafness, central nervous system anomalies) and premature labour in some animal and human studies, though evidence is complex. Untreated malaria is a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Quinine may also cause hypoglycemia in pregnant women. Discuss the risks, benefits, and treatment options with your doctor.

Quinine passes into breast milk. Due to the potential for serious harm (e.g., hemolytic anemia) in infants with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, quinine should generally not be used by breastfeeding mothers if the infant is G6PD deficient. For other nursing infants, caution should be exercised, and a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.

Use in the Elderly

While no alteration in the Qualaquin dosage regimen in elderly patients is typically needed, elderly subjects may excrete a larger proportion of the dose in urine as unchanged drug. Elderly patients are also at increased risk for specific side effects, particularly cardiac arrhythmias (due to baseline prolonged QT interval) and severe hematologic reactions. Close monitoring for adverse effects is advised.

Use in Children

Qualaquin is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in children, with specific dosing guidelines often provided for children 16 years of age and older. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 16 years. For children younger than 16 years, the use and dosage must be carefully determined and monitored by a doctor. Close monitoring for hypoglycemia, blood disorders, and other side effects is crucial, as children may be more susceptible to these effects. Avoid giving children foods or drinks that have quinine, such as tonic water.

Frequently Asked Questions about Qualaquin at Canada Pharmacy Online:

Why is Qualaquin more affordable in Canada than in the United States?

Prescription drug prices, including Qualaquin, are generally lower in Canada than in the US due to a combination of factors, primarily government price regulations, differing market dynamics, and other economic considerations. In Canada, provincial and federal governments negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, which often results in lower costs compared to the US, where market forces play a more significant role. For more information, see the FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/faqs-on-prescription-drug-importation/

How much is the shipping?

Our shipping fee is a flat rate of $10.00 per order. Our pharmacy is dedicated to offering you the lowest prices on high-quality products.

How do I place an order with your pharmacy?

Ordering from us is very simple. You can purchase online or call Customer Service at 1866.920.3784; for more information or to learn about the ordering process, visit our How to Order page.

Is there a limit on the number of tablets I can order at one time?

CanadaPharmacyOnline.com can only dispense a maximum of a three-month supply of Qualaquin at a time, as per your doctor's prescription.

Can I buy over the counter from you?

No, Qualaquin requires a valid prescription from your doctor. We do not sell this product without a valid prescription.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes, we do. It usually takes 7 to 18 business days to receive your order from our pharmacy.

What is the best time to take Qualaquin?

Qualaquin should be taken every 8 hours for 7 days for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, usually with food to minimize gastric upset. It is essential to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve.

Blog Posts:

Quinine: An Old Anti-Malarial Drug Still Shines

Latest News:

First Malaria Treatment for Babies is a Major Step to Ending the Disease in Africa (article published on July 29, 2025)

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The information on this page is sourced from independent third parties contracted by CanadaPharmacyOnline. While we cannot guarantee its medical accuracy, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding medications or medical conditions.

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