Quinine ( IPA : /?kwa?na?n (US), kw??ni?n, ?kw?ni?n (GB)/ ) is a natural white crystalline alkaloid having antipyretic (fever-reducing), antimalarial , analgesic (painkilling), and anti-inflammatory properties and a bitter taste. more

Quinine ( IPA : /?kwa?na?n (US), kw??ni?n, ?kw?ni?n (GB)/ ) is a natural white crystalline alkaloid having antipyretic (fever-reducing), antimalarial , analgesic (painkilling), and anti-inflammatory properties and a bitter taste. It is a stereoisomer of quinidine .

Quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum , appearing in therapeutics in the 17th century. It remained the antimalarial drug of choice until the 1940s, when other drugs took over. Since then, many effective antimalarials have been introduced, although quinine is still used to treat the disease in certain critical situations. Quinine is available with a prescription in the United States . [ citation needed ] Quinine is also used to treat nocturnal leg cramps and arthritis , and there have been attempts (with limited success) to treat prion diseases. It was once a popular heroin adulterant and is now not as popular in the world, although many countries (such as Scotland) still have quinine-contaminated heroin selling on the streets. less