Fed: Quinine scotched as muscle cramp treatment

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2004
Fed: Quinine scotched as muscle cramp treatment

(Embargoed until 0001 AEDT Wednesday, December 1)

CANBERRA, Dec 1 AAP - Quinine could cause a serious blood disorder if used to treat
muscle cramps, health professionals warned today.

The bitter alkaloid, traditionally used as a treatment for malaria, was recently deleted
from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a medication for muscle cramp.

An independent review by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) has now found the potential
risks associated with quinine far outweigh the benefits for cramps, NPS new drugs chairman
Dr Peter Roush said.

"Evidence shows quinine only slightly reduces muscle cramp and does not reduce the
duration of the cramp," Dr Roush said in a statement.

"Yet it can cause a rare but severe form of an unpredictable and potentially fatal
condition known as thrombocytopenia.

"Patients with this condition have a low number of platelets, which can cause easy
bruising and bleeding."

GPs and pharmacists should instead advise those with cramps to try massage, passive
stretching and other methods of easing muscle cramp, Dr Roush said.

Quinine remains listed on the PBS as a treatment for malaria.

"The benefits of quinine in treating this serious disease still outweigh the risk of
harm to these patients," the NPS said.

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KEYWORD: QUININE (EMBARGOED)

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