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quinine
(kwin´in)
(kwin-ēn´)
(kwi´nīn)
an alkaloid of cinchona that is an antimalarial agent; it suppresses the asexual erythrocytic forms of malarial parasites and has a slight effect on the gametocytes. It also has
analgesic, antipyretic, mild oxytocic, cardiac depressant, and sclerosing properties, and it decreases the excitability of
the motor endplate. It is administered orally as the dihydrochloride, hydrochloride or sulfate salt or parenterally as the
dihydrochloride salt in the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. It is also used orally as the sulfate salt in the treatment of leg and foot cramps.
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