Quinine Hydrochloride functions primarily as an antimalarial agent for treating and preventing malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is also used as a muscle relaxant to alleviate nocturnal leg cramps, a bittering agent in beverages like tonic water and pharmaceuticals, and a subject of pharmacological research for its broader therapeutic potential.
Quinine Hydrochloride imparts a distinctive taste and aroma, enhancing the drinking experience, but its consumption for self-medicating leg cramps can pose risks, including morbidity and mortality. Older women are particularly susceptible to serious complications such as low platelet counts, acute renal failure, liver dysfunction, and neurological disorders.