Prescribing of quinine and cramp inducing drugs in general practice

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Abstract
Quinine is widely prescribed as the treatment of choice for nocturnal leg cramps despite doubts about its clinical efficacy. Several commonly prescribed agents, including nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, terbutaline, and diuretics in general, may also cause leg cramps as a side effect.1 2 In addition, quinine may cause severe visual problems in acute self poisoning.3 We examined the prescribing of quinine by general practitioners in the Greater Glasgow Health Board. In addition, the age and sex profiles of patients given quinine and the proportion of these patients concurrently prescribed other drugs associated with leg cramps were determined in a sample of practices. By using the Scottish prescribing analysis database provided by …

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