what is quinine
1 Review. Quinine is the generic form of the brand-name drug qualaquin, a medication used to treat uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, a specific type of malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito.It's common in Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Quinine will not treat other forms of malaria, and should not be taken to prevent malaria.alaria is a disease caused by parasites that typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. It's common in Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Quinine will not treat other forms of malaria, and should not be taken to prevent malaria.