Quinine and atrial fibrillation

[Aruam]

A doctor prescribed quinine sulphate tablets for my leg cramps years ago and said I could take them for the rest of my life. Nearly two years ago I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. Some months later I read of a connection which had been found between quinine and irregular heart rhythms. I then consulted a doctor about it and asked if I should stop taking quinine sulphate tablets, to which the reply was “Well, probably”. After reading more about the connection I am wondering if in fact the quinine sulphate tablets caused my Afib.

[Dawsonmackay]

All I can say is if I drink quinine water without the gin, I can literally faint. Quinine water has a small percentage of quinine. I can only imagine what the percentage of quinine is in the quinine sulphate tablets and how it can trigger AF.

[secondtry]

I used to drink quite a bit of tonic water but after hearing about the connection I don't anymore!

[wilsond]

I found drinking tonic water set my AF off. I thought it was the gin,so stopped drinking that but it still happened so for me yes it does!

[Jennyquilt0]

I have PAF and was told that

I could not take quinine for cramp in my legs. My Dr. Advised me to wear support socks and they have helped. It has not stopped them, but I don’t get them as often or as painful as used to be.

[Auriculaire]

Quinine sulphate is a very drastic treatment for leg cramps. I would have been more inclined to look into electrolyte imbalances and try extra magnesium or calcium. Even make sure I was not dehydrated. My sister in law was prescribed this for restless legs. Not long after she was found dead . No real explanation was given by the autopsy as to the cause of her death.

[lovetogarden]

Really interesting about the quinine! I take plaquenil for rheumatoid arthritis, it’s a quinine related drug and sotalol for arrhythmias. Just checked it out and found they can interact since both prolong the QT interval. Adding this to my list of questions for my EP next week. Hate to mess with with my RA drugs though. Would love to be off sotalol, though it seems to be helping.

[Hidden]

Yes quinine and quinine related things do that. And more besides. What's the cause of your leg cramps could also be the cause of your afib. Magnesium seems like a likely culprit ( its always the butler right!) High potassium and calcium and iron low and high can also cause cramps... So check those. start taking magnesium because its the kost likely thing to cause cramos and something like 60% of people dot get enough of this essential mineral to function properly. If that doesn't help get you kidney function and potassium checked and calcium and vitamin d levels checked and iron and mma for b12 checked. And parathyroid... Get a full bloodworkup done basically. If you don't find the cause you can't treat the problem only suppress symptoms.