Pharmacologic Substance
quinine
qui·nine [ kwahy-nahyn, kwin-ahyn, kwi-neen ]
Brand Names:
Qualaquin
Effect:
Carbohydrate Metabolism Alteration; Decreased DNA Replication; Decreased Metabolic Rate; Decreased Striated Muscle Organized Electrical Activity
May Prevent:
Muscle Cramp
May Treat:
Babesiosis;
Malaria, Falciparum;
Muscle Cramp
More Information:
Definitions related to quinine:
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A quinidine alkaloid isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine has many mechanisms of action, including reduction of oxygen intake and carbohydrate metabolism; disruption of DNA replication and transcription via DNA intercalation; and reduction of the excitability of muscle fibers via alteration of calcium distribution. This agent also inhibits the drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein which is overexpressed in multi-drug resistant tumors and may improve the efficacy of some antineoplastic agents. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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An alkaloid derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. It is used as an antimalarial drug, and is the active ingredient in extracts of the cinchona that have been used for that purpose since before 1633. Quinine is also a mild antipyretic and analgesic and has been used in common cold preparations for that purpose. It was used commonly and as a bitter and flavoring agent, and is still useful for the treatment of babesiosis. Quinine is also useful in some muscular disorders, especially nocturnal leg cramps and myotonia congenita, because of its direct effects on muscle membrane and sodium channels. The mechanisms of its antimalarial effects are not well understood.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Quinine ascorbate is listed by USP as a smoking deterrent.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Quinine, drug obtained from cinchona bark that is used chiefly in the treatment of malaria, an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of various species of mosquitoes. During the 300 years between its introduction into Western medicine and...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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