Quinine and Quinidine
Toxicology Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Quinine is a laevorotatory diastereoisomer of quinidine used in the treatment of nightcramps and falciparum malaria. Quinine bioavailability is 80-90 % after an oral dose. The mean plasma elimination half-life is 9 h (range 7-11 h) in healthy subjects and 18 h (range 6-47 h) in patients with severe malaria. Quinidine is the dextrorotatary diastereoisomer of quinine, used primarily to control ventricular arrhythmias. It is also an effective antimalarial drug but is rarely used as such.
Measurement of quinine may be useful in prevention of toxicity, especially during treatment for malaria. The plasma total (i.e. free + protein-bound) quinine concentrations associated with effective antimalarial therapy range from 10-15 mg/L. In naive subjects, concentrations above 8 mg/L may be associated with toxicity. The antiarrhythmic effects of quinidine are achieved within the range 1-5 mg/L.
Sample Requirements
4 mL of ETDA whole blood is preferred. Serum or plasma can be used if required, but please avoid gel-separator tubes.
Storage and Transport
Please refrigerate (if possible) if not sending immediately. Send by first class post to:
Toxicology Unit
Top Floor,
Bessemer Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
Please use the form below, COMPLETE ALL FIELDS, and send as a hard copy with the sample.
PDF Request Form
Download Quinine And Quinidine Request Form
Turnaround Time
Results are available within 5 working days of receipt in the laboratory.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Clinical Advice & Interpretation
Dr Bob Flanagan
T 020 3299 5881
F 020 3299 5888
Laboratory
Simon Handley
T 020 3299 5883
F 020 3299 5888
