Serum levels of quinine following intramuscular administration to children
Stace, J.; Shann, F.A.; Walters, S.; Connellan, M.; Edstein, M.
Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal 26(1): 21-24
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 6585095 Document Number: 217147
Quinine by intravenous infusion has various disadvantages, especially for children. Thirty one children aged one month-10 years, of whom 17 were very sick, were given quinine dihydrochloride intramuscularly in Goroka and Madang hospitals, Papua New Guinea . The preparation used contained 60 mg quinine dihydrochloride/ml. The dose varied according to the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. Adequate serum concentrations of quinine were obtained. The injections were unpleasant but no worse than other intramuscular injections. There was no muscle necrosis with this concentration of quinine. All the sick children recovered but no attempt was made to measure the rate of parasite clearance or to discover whether there were relapses after discharge.