Fatal Quinine-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Joel P. Freiman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Letters and Corrections15 February 1990Fatal Quinine-Induced ThrombocytopeniaJoel P. Freiman, MD, MPHJoel P. Freiman, MD, MPHAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-112-4-308 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editor: Quinine sulfate is widely used for the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps, although studies (1-3) have shown it to be of minimal benefit. One of the most serious and well-recognized side effects of quinine sulfate is thrombocytopenia. The mechanism of this reaction appears to be the formation of drug antibody complexes with an affinity for some component of the platelet membrane (4). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received two reports of fatal quinine-induced thrombocytopenia.Patient 1, a 41-year-old woman, initially presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain radiating to her back. She had marked...References1. WarburtonRoystonO'Neill JCP. A quinine a day keeps the leg cramps away? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1987;23:459-65. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Lim S. Randomised double-blind trial of quinine sulphate for nocturnal leg cramp. Br J Clin Pract. 1986;40:462. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. JonesCastleden KC. A double-blind comparison of quinine sulphate and placebo in muscle cramps. Age Ageing. 1983;12:155-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. WilliamsBeutlerErsler WEA. Hematology. 3d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill International Book Co.; 1983:1311-6. Google Scholar5. Faich G. Adverse-drug reaction monitoring. N Engl J Med. 1986;314:1589-92. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Food and Drug Administration Rockville, MD 20857 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byEntecavir-Associated Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and Review of the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of a Rare but Reversible Cause of ThrombocytopeniaDrug-Induced ThrombocytopeniaA rare case report of acyclovir-induced immune thrombocytopenia with tongue hematomas as the first sign, and a literature reviewEffect of quinine and artesunate combination therapy on platelet count of children with severe malariaDrug-Induced Thrombocytopenia: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and ManagementDiversity and severity of adverse reactions to quinine: A systematic reviewFatal quinine-induced thrombocytopenia from pulmonary haemorrhageDrug-induced Immune ThrombocytopeniaDrug-Induced ThrombocytopeniaLes thrombopénies médicamenteuses idiosyncrasiquesDrug-induced immune thrombocytopenia: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managementRecognition and management of drug-induced cytopenias: the example of idiosyncratic drug-induced thrombocytopeniaEzetimibe-Associated Immune ThrombocytopeniaAre There Alternatives to the Use of Quinine to Treat Nocturnal Leg Cramps?Assessment of safety of the major antimalarial drugsDrug-Induced Immune ThrombocytopeniaDrug-Induced ThrombocytopeniaDrug-induced immune cytopeniasAntimalarial Drug ToxicityCrampsQuinine Allergy Causing Acute Severe Systemic Illness: Report of 4 Patients Manifesting Multiple Hematologic, Renal, and Hepatic AbnormalitiesSpontaneous reports of thrombocytopenia in association with quinine: Clinical attributes and timing related to regulatory actionPistol‐packin' pilfererFactitious quinine‐induced thrombocytopeniaCase 15-1995Antiprotozoal drugsForum 15 February 1990Volume 112, Issue 4Page: 308-309KeywordsAbdominal painDrugsFood and Drug AdministrationPlateletsQuinine Issue Published: 15 February 1990 PDF downloadLoading ...