Quinine Bisulphate Tablets Bp 300mg
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Quinine Bisulphate Tablets BP 300mg.
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each tablet contains quinine bisulphate BP 300mg.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Sugar-coated tablet.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the treatment of chloroquine-resistant strains of falciparium malaria. Treatment and prevention of nocturnal leg cramps in adults and the elderly, when cramps cause regular disruption of sleep (see section 4.2 and section 4.4)
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Treatment of chloroquine-resistant strains of falciparium malaria:
Adults and the elderly:
2,400mg (8 tablets) in each 24 hour period, to be taken at intervals of 8 hours in divided doses, for 7 days. This will be followed by an appropriate dose of sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine combination medicine such as Fansidar*. Children:
Not recommended.
For the treatment and prevention of nocturnal leg cramps:
Adults (including elderly):
The recommended dose is 300mg at bedtime.
A reduction in frequency of leg cramp may take up to 4 weeks to become apparent. Patient should be monitored closely during the early stages of treatment for adverse effects. After an initial trial of 4 weeks, treatment should be stopped if there is no benefit. Treatment should be interrupted at approximately three monthly intervals to reassess the benefit of treatment.
4.3 Contraindications
Haemoglobinuria
Known hypersensitivity to quinine or any of the excipients in the tablet
Optic neuritis
Tinnitus
Myasthenia gravis
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Administration of quinine may give rise to cinchonism, which is generally more severe in overdose, but may also occur in normal therapeutic doses. Patients should be warned not to exceed the prescribed dose, because of the possibility of serious, irreversible side effects in overdose. Treatment for night cramps should be stopped if symptoms of cinchonism emerge. Such symptoms include tinnitus, impaired hearing, headache, nausea, and disturbed vision (see sections 4.8 and 4.9)
Before use for nocturnal leg cramps, the risks, which include significant adverse effects and interactions ( see sections 4.5 and 4.8), should be carefully considered relative to the potential benefits. These risks are likely to be of particular concern in the elderly. Quinine should only be considered when cramps are very painful or frequent, when other treatable causes of cramp have been ruled out, and when nonpharmacological measures have not worked. Quinine should not be used for this indication during pregnancy (see section 4.6).
Quinine may cause unpredictable serious and life-threatening thrombocytopenia, which is thought to be an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reaction. Quinine should not be prescribed or administered to patients who have previously experienced any adverse reaction to quinine, including that in tonic water or other beverages. Patients should be instructed to stop treatment and consult a physician if signs of thrombocytopenia such as unexplained bruising or bleeding occur.
Quinine should be used with caution in patients with atrial fibrillation or other serious heart disease. It may cause hypoprothrombinaemia.
Patients with glucose 6-phophate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may develop acute haemolytic anaemia.
Hypersensitivity to quinine may also occur with symptoms of cinchonism together with urticaria, flushing, puritus, rash, fever, angioedema, dyspnoea and asthma. The administration of quinine to a patient who has previously been suffering from a chronic and inadequately controlled malarial infection may precipitate an attack of blackwater fever. However, in some cases deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase may have been involved. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patients with malaria or taking quinine to treat leg cramps may be at an increased risk of haemolytic anaemia during quinine therapy.
Quinine should not be withheld from pregnant women who have life threatening malaria (see section 4.6).
Treatment with quinine should be monitored in case signs of resistance develop.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Effect of other drugs on quinine
Quinine is metabolised via hepatic oxidative cytochrome P450 pathways, predominantly by CYP3A4.
There is the potential for increased quinine toxicity with concurrent use of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, which include azole antifungal drugs and HIV protease inhibitors.
Sub-optimal quinine serum levels may result from concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers, which include rifampicin, barbiturates, carbamazepine and phenytoin.
Care should be taken when quinine is used in combination with other CYP3A4 substrates, especially those causing prolongation of the QT interval.
Effect of quinine on other drugs
The plasma concentration of flecainide, digoxin and mefloquine may be increased.
Amantadine: Quinine can reduce the renal clearance of amantadine.
Ciclosporin: Quinine can decrease plasma concentrations of ciclosporin.
Cardiac glycosides: Quinine increases plasma concentrations of cardiac glycosides and reduced dosage of concomitant cardiac glycosides such as digoxin to half the maintenance dose may be necessary.
Other drug interactions
There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with other drugs which prolong the QT interval, including amiodarone, moxifloxacin, pimozide, thioridazine and halofantrine.
Antiarrhythmics: Concomitant use of amiodarone should be avoided due to the increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias. The plasma concentration of flecainide is increased by quinine. Concomitant use of quinidine may increase the possibility of cinchonism.
Antibacterials: There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias when moxifloxacin is given with quinine. Rifampicin can reduced the serum levels of quinine, therefore reducing its therapeutic effect.
Anticoagulants: Quinine may cause hypoprothrombinaemia and enhance the effects of anticoagulants.
Antihistamines: Concomitant use of terfenadine should be avoided due to the increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Antimalarials: According to the manufacturer of artemether with lumefantrine concomitant use should be avoided. There is an increased risk of convulsions when given with mefloquine. Chloroquine and quinine appear to be antagonistic when given together for P falciparum malaria. There is a decrease in plasma concentrations of primaquine.
Antipsychotics: There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and concomitant use should be avoided with pimozide or thioridazine.
Hypoglycaemics: Concurrent use with oral hypoglycaemics may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia .
Suxamethonium: Quinine enhances the neuromuscular effects of suxamethonium.
Ulcer-healing drugs: Cimetidine inhibits quinine metabolism leading to increased plasma-quinine concentrations.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Quinine may cause congenital abnormalities of the CNS and extremities. Following administration of large doses during pregnancy, phototoxicity and deafness have been reported in neonates. Quinine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
Treatment of chloroquine-resistant strains of falciparium malaria.
Pregnancy in a patient with malaria is not generally regarded as a contraindication to the use of quinine. As malaria infection is potentially serious during pregnancy and poses a threat to the mother and foetus, there appears to be little justification in withholding treatment in the absence of a suitable alternative. Care should be taken to monitor blood glucose levels during treatment.
Prophylaxis of nocturnal leg-cramps.
Quinine should not be used during pregnancy to treat cramps.
Lactation
Quinine is excreted in breast milk, but no problems in humans have been reported. However, quinine should not be given to nursing mothers unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Quinine may cause visual disturbances and vertigo, hence patients should be advised that if affected they should not drive or operate machinery
4.8 Undesirable Effects
Cinchonism is more common in overdose, but may occur even after normal doses of quinine. In its mild form symptoms include tinnitus, impaired hearing, rashes, headache, nausea and disturbed vision. Its more severe manifestations symptoms may include gastrointestinal symptoms, oculotoxicity, CNS disturbances, cardiotoxicity and death (see section 4.9). Visual disorders may include blurred vision, defective colour perception, visual field constriction and total blindness.
|
MedDRA system organ class |
Adverse Reaction |
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Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
Thrombocytopenia, intravascular coagulation, hypoprothrombinaemia, haemoglobinuria, oliguria, haemolytic-uremic syndrome, pancytopenia, haemolysis, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenic purpura |
|
Immune system disorders |
Reports have been received of eczematous dermatitis, oedema, erythema and lichen planus. Hypersensitivity reactions such as asthma, angioneurotic oedema, photosensitivity, hot and flushed skin, fever, pruritis, thrombocytopenic purpura and urticaria have also been reported. |
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders |
Hypoglycaemia may occur after oral administration although it is more common after parenteral administration |
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Psychiatric disorders |
Agitation, confusion |
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Nervous system disorders |
Headache, vertigo, excitement, loss of consciousness, coma and death have been received. |
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Eye disorders |
Blurred vision, defective colour perception, visual field constriction |
|
Ear and labyrinth disorders |
Tinnitus, impaired hearing |
|
Cardiac disorders |
Atrioventricular conduction disturbances, hypotension coupled with a feeble pulse, prolongation of the QT interval, widening of the QRS complex and T wave flattening |
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Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
Bronchospasm, asthma, dyspnoea may occur |
|
Gastrointestinal disorders |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain |
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may occur after long term administration of quinine | |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Flushing, rash, urticaria, eczematous dermatitis, oedema, erythema, lichen planus, pruritis, photosensitivity |
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Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
Muscle weakness, aggravation of myasthenia gravis |
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
Renal insufficiency and acute renal failure may be due to an immune mechanism or to circulatory failure. |
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Reproductive system and breast disorders |
Toxic doses of quinine may induce abortion, but it is unwise to withhold the drug if less toxic antimalarials are not available |
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
4.9 Overdose
Quinine overdosage may lead to serious side effects including irreversible visual loss, and can be fatal. In acute overdosage, symptoms of cinchonism may occur, including nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, deafness, headache, vasodilation and visual disturbance.
Features of a significant overdose include convulsions, impairment of consciousness, coma, respiratory depression, QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock and renal failure. Fatalities have been reported in adults after doses of 2-8g. High doses of quinine are tetrogenic and may cause miscarriage. Hypokalaemia and hypoglycaemia may also occur.
Treatment
Children (< 5 years) who have ingested any amount should be referred to hospital.
Older children and adults should be referred to hospital if more than 30 mg/kg of quinine base has been taken.
Each 300mg tablet is equivalent to 178mg quinine base.
Quinine is rapidly absorbed. Consider activated charcoal (50 g for adults; 1 g/kg for children) if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion of more than 30 mg/kg quinine base or any amount in a child under 5 years. Multiple dose activated charcoal will enhance quinine elimination.
Observe patients for at least 12 hours after ingestion. Monitor cardiac conduction and rhythm, serum electrolytes, blood glucose and visual acuity.
Other treatment is symptomatic to maintain blood pressure, respiration, renal function and to treat arrhythmia, convulsions, hypoglycaemia and acidosis.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
ATC Code: P01B C01. Quinine alkaloid.
Quinine is a cinchona alkaloid and a 4-methanolquinoline antimalarial agent which is a rapidly acting blood schizontocide with activity against Plasmodium faciparum, P vivax, P ovale and P malariae. It is active against the gametocytes of P malariae and P vivax, but not against mature gametocytes of Pfalciparum. Since it has no activity against exoerythrocytic forms, quinine does not produce a radical cure in vivax or ovale malarias.
Quinine has effects on the motor end-plate of skeletal muscle and prolongs the refractory period. Like quinidine, quinine is a sodium channel blocker and, therefore, has local anaesthetic, and both anti- and proarrhythmic activity.
The precise mechanism of action of quinine is unclear but it may interfere with lysosome function or nucleic acid synthesis in the malaria parasite.
Quinine is mainly used orally for the treatment of uncomplicated attacks of the
chloroquine or multidrug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum.
In addition, quinine bisulphate may be used in the treatment of malignant tertian malaria. Notably, both as a suppressive and therapeutic agent, quinine is more
toxic and less effective than chloroquine.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The pharmacokinetics of quinine are altered significantly by malaria infection, the major effects being reductions in both its apparent volume of distribution and its clearance.
Absorption: Quinine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the GI tract and peak concentrations in the circulation are attained about 1-3 hours after oral administration of the sulphate.
Distribution: Plasma protein binding is about 70% in healthy subjects and rises to 90% or more in patients with malaria. Quinine is widely distributed throughout the body. Concentrations attained in the CSF of patients with cerebral malaria have been reported to be about 2-5% of those in the plasma. Metabolism: Quinine is extensively metabolised in the liver, with only 10% of a given dose excreted unchanged, and rapidly excreted mainly in the urine. Estimates of the proportion of unchanged quinine excreted in the urine vary from less than 5% to 20%. The pharmacokinetics of quinine are altered significantly by malaria infection, with reductions in both the apparent volume of distribution and clearance.
Elimination: Excretion is increased in acid urine. The elimination half-life is about 11 hours in healthy subjects but may be prolonged in patients with malaria. Small amounts of quinine also appear in the bile and saliva.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Not required.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Starch, povidone, talc, stearic acid, sodium starch glycollate, sucrose, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac (E904), acetylated monoglyceride (E472a), povidone (E1201) and industrial methylated spirits.
6.2 Incompatibilities
None known.
6.3 Shelf life
36 months.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from light.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Securitainers, pack sizes: 25, 28, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed
Special precautions for disposal
6.6
Not applicable.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Ennogen Pharma Limited Unit G4,
Riverside Industrial Estate,
Riverside Way,
Dartford DA1 5BS UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 40147/0069
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
10th June 1992 /17th June 1998.
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
04/01/2016