Article: Quinine

Quinine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2-ethenyl-4-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-yl)- (6-methoxyquinolin-4-yl)-methanol
Identifiers
CAS number	130-95-0
ATC code	M09AA01 P01BC01
PubChem	8549
DrugBank	APRD00563
Chemical data
Formula	C20H24N2O2
Mol. weight	324.417 g/mol
Physical data
Melt. point	177°C (351°F)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	76 to 88%
Protein binding	~70%
Metabolism	Hepatic (mostly CYP3A4 and CYP2C19-mediated)
Half life	~18 hours
Excretion	Renal (20%)
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	X (U.S.), D (Au)
Legal status
Routes	Oral

Quinine, is a natural white crystalline alkaloid having antipyretic, anti-malarial with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and a bitter taste. It is a stereoisomer of quinidine.

Quinine was previously superseded by chloroquine, but is now again the drug of choice for treatment of falciparum malaria because of the rise of chloroquine resistance. Quinine is available with a prescription in the U.S.. Quinine is also used to treat nocturnal leg cramps and arthritis and it has also been used (with limited success) to treat people who had been infected by prions. It was once a popular heroin adulterant.

Mechanism of action

The theorized mechanism of action for quinine and related anti-malarial drugs is that these drugs are toxic to the malaria parasite, specifically by interfering with the parasite's ability to break down and digest hemoglobin, thus starving the parasite and/or causing the build-up of toxic levels of partially degraded hemoglobin in the parasite.