Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Quinine Odan.
Abnormal heart rhythms: Quinine Odan can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., Sotalol, quinidine, Chlorpromazine, droperidol, Pimozide, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, probucol, Tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with quinine. You are more at risk for this type of abnormal heart rhythm and its complications if you:
- are female
- are older than 65 years of age
- have a family history of sudden cardiac death
- have a history of heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms
- have a slow heart rate
- have congenital prolongation of the QT interval
- have Diabetes
- have had a Stroke
- have low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels
- have nutritional deficiencies
If you have heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, or people are taking certain medications (e.g., Verapamil, atazanavir), discuss with your doctor how Quinine Odan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Quinine Odan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Bleeding: Quinine may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.
Diabetes: Quinine causes insulin to be released from the pancreas and may lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Quinine Odan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Quinine Odan, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You made need to monitor your blood sugar more closely while taking Quinine Odan.
Kidney function: The kidneys are partially responsible for removing Quinine Odan from your body. Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Quinine Odan to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Quinine Odan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Quinine Odan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Quinine Odan to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Quinine Odan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Quinine Odan, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Quinine Odan.
Myasthenia gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes specific muscle weakness. Quinine may cause muscle weakness, worsening the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. People with myasthenia gravis should discuss with their doctor how Quinine Odan may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Quinine Odan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Quinine may cause birth defects and it can cause complications to the pregnancy. Women who are pregnant are more likely to experience noticeable low blood sugar levels. It should be used during pregnancy only when required to treat a severe case of life-threatening malaria.
Breast-feeding: Quinine Odan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking quinine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
