Quinine Sulphate Tablets Bp 300mg
Out of date information, search anotherSUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Quinine Sulphate Tablets BP 300mg.
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each tablet contains Quinine Sulphate 300mg.
For excipients. see 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Film-coated tablet.
A white, biconvex film-coated tablet, approximately 11 mm in diameter, marked “QS 300” on one side and “G” on reverse.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the treatment of falciparum 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
For falciparum malaria
Adults: the adult dosage regimen by mouth is 600mg of quinine sulphate given every 8 hours for 7 days.
The elderly: as for adults
Children: the dosage regimen for children by mouth is 10mg of quinine sulphate per kg body weight given every 8 hours for 7 days.
Note
If quinine resistance is known or suspected in the patient, then supplementary treatment with another recommended antimalarial drug is necessary.
If part or all of the dose is vomited within 1 hour of administration, then the same amount must be administered immediately.
For the treatment and prevention of nocturnal leg cramps:
Adults (including elderly):
The recommended dose is 200mg at bedtime. The maximum dose is 300mg.
A reduction in frequency of leg cramps may take up to 4 weeks to become apparent. Patients 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
- Hypersensitivity to quinine or any of the other ingredients
- Tinnitus
- Optic neuritis
- Acute haemoglobinuria
- 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 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 sulphate 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.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patients with malaria are at increased risk of haemolysis during quinine therapy. Treatment should be monitored in all patients in case signs of resistance develop.
Patients with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may develop acute haemolytic anaemia.
Quinine can affect the results of certain urine tests for alkaloids and steroids. It may also interfere with tests for plasma catecholamines as well as slowing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Hypersensitivity to quinine may also occur with symptoms of cinchonism together with urticaria, flushing, pruritus, rash, fever, angioedema, dyspnoea and asthma.
Excessive amounts of beverages containing quinine should not be consumed while taking quinine, as this may increase the risk of adverse reactions and toxicity.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the LAPP lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine, as it contains lactose.
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 such as 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.
Consideration should be given to reducing the maintenance dose of digoxin. Concomitant administration of mefloquine and quinine may produce electrocardiogram abnormalities and increase the risk of convulsions.
Quinine can decrease serum plasma concentrations of ciclosporin
Other drug interactions
There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias when quinine is given in combination with other drugs that prolong the QT interval, including amiodarone, moxifloxacin, pimozide er thioridazine and halofantrine. Co-administration of other drugs known to alter cardiac conduction (e.g. anti-arrhythmic or B-adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blockers, some antihistamines or Hj-blocking agents, tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics) might also contribute to a prolongation of the QT interval.
Concurrent use with oral hypoglycaemics may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. Quinine may cause hypoprothrombinaemia and thereby enhance the effect of anticoagulants.
Quinine enhances the neuromuscular effects of suxamethonium.
Concurrent use of quinidine may increase the possibility of cinchonism.
Chloroquine and quinine appear to be antagonistic when given together for P falciparum malaria.
Quinine can reduce the renal clearance of amantadine
There is increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias when quinine is given with artemether/lumefantrine.
cimetidine, which inhibits metabolism, may cause increased plasma quinine concentrations.
4.6. 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 sulphate 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 contra-indication 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.
Prophylaxis of nocturnal leg-cramps: Quinine sulphate should not be used during pregnancy to treat cramps.
Lactation: Quinine sulphate is excreted in breast milk, but no problems in humans have been reported. However, quinine sulphate 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. In more severe manifestations, symptoms may include gastrointestinal symptoms, oculotoxicity, CNS disturbances, cardiotoxicity and death (see section 4.9).
|
MedDRA system organ class |
Adverse Reaction |
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
Thrombocytopenia,intravascular coagulation, hypoprothrombinaemia, Haemoglobinuria, oliguria, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, pancytopenia, haemolysis, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenic purpura |
|
Immune system disorders |
Generalised hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and fever |
|
Metabolism and nutritional disorders |
Hypoglycaemia |
|
Psychiatric disorders |
Agitation and confusion |
|
Nervous system disorders |
Headache, Vertigo |
|
Eye disorders |
Blurred vision, defective colour perception, visual field constriction, |
|
Ear and labyrinth disorders |
Tinnitus, hearing impaired |
|
Cardiac disorders |
Atrioventricular conduction disturbances, hypotension, prolongation of the QT interval, widening of the QRS complex and T wave flattening |
|
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
Bronchospasm |
|
Gastrointestinal Disorders |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Flushing, rash, urticaria, eczematous dermatitis, oedema, erythema, lichen planus, pruritus, photosensitivity |
|
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
Muscle weakness, aggravation of myasthenia gravis |
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
Renal insufficiency, acute renal failure |
4.9 Overdose
Symptoms
Quinine overdosage may lead to serious side effects including irreversible visual loss and can be fatal.
Symptoms include vomiting, tinnitus, deafness, headache and visual disturbance.
Features of a significant overdose include convulsions, impairment of consciousness, respiratory depression, QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock and renal failure. High doses of quinine are tetratogenic 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 30mg/kg of quinine base has been taken.
Note: Each quinine sulphate 300mg tablet is equivalent to 248mg of quinine base
Consider activated charcoal (50g for adults; 4g/kg for children) if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion of more than 30mg/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. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1. Pharmacodynamic Properties
Quinine is a rapidly acting blood schizontocide with activity against Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. It is active against the gametocytes of P. malariae and P. vivax but not against P. falciparum gametocytes. Since it has no activity against exoerythrocyctic forms, quinine does not produce a radical cure in vivax or ovale malarias.
Quinine is used orally for the treatment or uncomplicated attacks of falciparum malaria due to chloroquine or multidrug resistant strains and parenterally for severe or complicated malaria. Quinine is usually given by mouth as the sulphate or bisulphate and by infusion as the dihydrochloride, although other salts are used.
5.2. Pharmacokinetic Properties
Quinine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Peak concentrations in the circulation are attained about 1-3 hours after ingestion and about 70% is bound to proteins in the plasma in healthy subjects rising to about 90% in patients with malaria. Quinine is widely distributed throughout the body. Concentrations attained in the CSF are about 2-7% of those in the plasma. Quinine is extensively metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine. Estimates of the proportion of unchanged quinine excreted in the urine vary from less than 5% to 20%. 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. The pharmacokinetics of quinine are altered significantly by malaria infection, with reductions in both the apparent volume of distribution and clearance.
Quinine crosses the placenta and is excreted in the breast milk.
5.3. Pre-clinical safety data
No data of relevance to the prescriber. which is additional to that included in other sections of the SPC.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1. List of excipients
Microcrystalline cellulose
Lactose
Maize Starch
Water
Colloidal Anhydrous Silica Purified Talc Magnesium Stearate Sodium Starch Glycollate
Coating Components/Tablet
Ethanol
Water
Methylhydroxypropylcellulose Diethyl Phthalate
Opadry White Y-1-7000 (containing Methylhydroxypropylcellulose, Titanium Dioxide
and Polyethylene Glycol 400)
Wax Carnauba.
6.2. Incompatibilities
Not Applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
Al/PVC Blister packs: 48 months Polypropylene tablet containers: 36 months
6.4. Special precautions for storage
Store in a dry place below 25 °C.
6.5. Nature and content of container
Polypropylene tablet containers with polyethylene caps and option use of polyethylene ullage fillers.
PVC (285pm)/aluminium (25pm) foil blisters.
Pack sizes: 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 21, 25, 28, 30, 50, 60, 84, 90, 100, 112, 120, 168, 180, 250, 500.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6. Instructions for use and handling, (and disposal)
No special requirements.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Co-pharma Limited Unit 4, Metro Centre Tolpits Lane Watford Hertfordshire WD1 8SS.
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL: 13606/0059.
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
18 February 1998.
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DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
18/09/2013