Quinine (used for muscle cramps)
Quinine is a substance found in cinchona tree bark, and it’s been used as medicine for centuries. Its anti-malarial properties were observed by Chinese medicine practitioners in the sixteenth century and Europeans encountered it during their travels in the Americas.
Quinine, when taken with certain other drugs, can cause a type of kidney disease known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Consuming quinine as a dietary supplement can also cause Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is a serious clinical syndrome that has been associated with an increased risk of death in those receiving it. In this article, we’ll discuss: the disease; causes and possible prevention; what it means clinically; and the prognosis.