Don't keep taking the tablets

Do you ever read those warning leaflets that accompany medicinal wares that usually start off with: “Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine”  and follow on with “What the tablets are and what they are used for” and “Before you take” and then the frightening “Possible side effects”  ?

“Take a seat: what can we do for you?”

“Thank you doctor. I am suffering from very painful cramp in my leg and ankle during the night ”.

“Please stop there: this is quite a normal problem in elderly people; something easily treated with quinine. I will give you a prescription for some quinine sulphate tablets”.

“That’s a quick solution: thank you so much”.

“Hello again: how is the cramp; are the tablets helping?”

“I haven’t taken any yet doctor: I am very worried after having read this leaflet that came with the tablets”.

“Let me see what the problem is?” taking the leaflet and beginning to read the contents.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Quinine sulphate tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Contact your doctor at once if the following effects occur:

. allergic reactions – itchy skin rash, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue, flushing, fever, asthma or sensitivity to light

. cinchonism – abdominal pain, diarrhoea, disturbed vision (blurred vision, changes in colour perception or field of vision, total blindness), headache, feeling or being sick, ringing in the ears or impaired hearing, rashes, loss of consciousness, fits, shock due to heart problems, irregular heart beats, death.  If these occur while taking Quinine sulphate tablets for leg cramps, treatment should be stopped and a doctor contacted straight away.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects or notice any other effects not listed:

Muscle weakness, excitement, agitation, ‘spinning sensation’, confusion, loss of consciousness, coma, death.

“And so, what actually is your problem?”

“It says death could occur through taking the tablets. I am afraid of death if I take them”.

“I shouldn’t worry about that:  it states quite clearly not everybody gets the side effects. If you do suffer you are much more likely to get one of the lesser effects like ringing in the ears or total blindness”.

“But what happens if I am the one who is affected: how can I tell you the problem if I am dead?”

“Well in the first place you won’t need to tell me because your cramp will have gone. Secondly you will not have to worry about taking the rest of the tablets. People were taking quinine a hundred years ago in tonic water when they were drinking gin and tonic”.

“But they are all dead now!”

“That’s true, but we do advise people not to overdo it with alcohol: it can cause problems”.

“Is there no other cure?”

“How old are you now?”

“83”.

“Not really worth worrying about then is it? I would take the tablets and if the cramp doesn’t go away come and see me in a month if you are still here”.

“Thank you doctor.”

“A pleasure: take care!”

The leaflet is issued by drug manufacturer Actavis of Barnstaple, UK.