Quin-G

Quin-G helps maintain a normal heartbeat in people with specific heart rhythm disorders, often when other treatments have not worked. This medicine has not been shown to reduce the chances of stroke or death.

Quin-G is also used to treat a severe form of malaria.

Quin-G might also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Quin-G may increase your risk of death, especially if you have heart problems that affect the tissues or valves of your heart (including any heart problems you may have been born with). Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Quin-G.

Although Quin-G can help reduce episodes of irregular heart rhythm, this medicine may increase your risk of death. Your risk may be higher if you have heart problems affecting the tissues or valves of your heart (including heart problems you may have been born with). Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

You should not use Quin-G if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a serious heart condition called "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
• myasthenia gravis; or
• a history of bruising or bleeding after using Quin-G or quinine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome";
• slow heartbeats;
• congestive heart failure;
• a heart valve disorder, a hole in your heart, an enlarged heart, or mitral valve prolapse;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
• Marfan syndrome;
• heart rhythm problems with past use of Quin-G;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Quin-G.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Quin-G may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (feeling like you might pass out);
• vomiting and diarrhea;
• confusion, ringing in your ears, hearing loss;
• severe eye redness, vision problems, increased sensitivity to light;
• wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• pale or yellowed skin, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine;
• fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen glands;
• skin itching, flaking, blistering, peeling, or rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight;
• muscle or joint pain; or
• dry mouth, trouble swallowing.

Common side effects of Quin-G may include:

• chest pain, pounding heartbeats;
• dizziness;
• heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• feeling weak or tired; or
• pain or tenderness at the injection site (may last for several weeks).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Your blood pressure and heart rate should be monitored in a hospital or clinic setting when you start using Quin-G, and whenever your dose is changed.

Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

Quin-G oral is taken by mouth. This medicine injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

Do not crush or chew an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. You may break the tablet in half if your doctor instructs you to.

When Quin-G is given to treat malaria, you may also be given antibiotic medication. Keep using the antibiotic for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Since you will receive Quin-G injection in a clinical setting, you are unlikely to miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of quinidine can be fatal.

Overdose can cause vomiting, diarrhea, ringing in your ears, hearing loss, severe dizziness, double vision, confusion, irregular heartbeats, or feeling faint.

Grapefruit may interact with oral Quin-G and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid using grapefruit products.

Sometimes, using certain medications together can be unsafe. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications not work as well.

Many drugs can affect Quin-G. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any medicine you start or stop using.