July 8, 2010 - FDA Cautions Against Using Quinine For Leg Cramps.

The Los Angeles Times (7/8, Maugh) reported, "The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday cautioned consumers against using quinine [Qualaquin] for" nocturnal "leg cramps, warning that the drug could cause severe side effects, including death." Indeed, "studies have shown that it can reduce the incidence of cramps by one-third to one-half." However, "as many as one in every 25 users can suffer serious side effects." The FDA issued the warning due to adverse-event reporting system, according to the Wall Street Journal (7/8, Dooren). Over three and a half years, 38 reports had been submitted. In those reports, "24 instances of serious life-threatening reactions" were noted according to MedPage Today (7/8, Petrochko). "These adverse events resulted in permanent kidney impairment and hospitalization in some people, and death in two." This warning reiterates a prior warning from 2006. Nevertheless according to the FDA, most of the quinine used in the United States continues to be for the prevention or treatment of leg cramps.