Last reviewed · How we verify
Intragastric quinine hydrochloride
Quinine hydrochloride acts as a cinchona alkaloid that reduces muscle excitability and contractility, primarily used to treat nocturnal leg cramps through local gastric delivery.
Quinine hydrochloride acts as a cinchona alkaloid that reduces muscle excitability and contractility, primarily used to treat nocturnal leg cramps through local gastric delivery. Used for Nocturnal leg cramps.
At a glance
| Generic name | Intragastric quinine hydrochloride |
|---|---|
| Also known as | IG QHCl |
| Sponsor | Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven |
| Drug class | Cinchona alkaloid |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology / Musculoskeletal |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Quinine works by decreasing the excitability of muscle fibers and reducing the force of muscle contraction. When administered intragastrically, it is absorbed and distributed systemically to target skeletal muscle, where it suppresses spontaneous and evoked electrical activity. This mechanism makes it effective for symptomatic relief of nocturnal leg cramps, though the exact site and mode of action remain incompletely understood.
Approved indications
- Nocturnal leg cramps
Common side effects
- Cinchonism (tinnitus, hearing loss, visual disturbances)
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Thrombocytopenia
Key clinical trials
- Taste Physiology in Obese Volunteers Before and After Bariatric Surgery (NA)
- Effects of Intragastric Quinine, Alone or Combined With L-leucine, on Postprandial Glycaemic Control (NA)
- Effects of Intragastric Quinine, Alone or Combined With L-isoleucine, on Postprandial Glycaemic Control (NA)
- Quinine and Food Intake (NA)
- IG vs ID Bitter Administration (PHASE4)
- Brain Responses to Intragastric Administration of a Bitter Agonist in Homeostatic and Hedonic Brain Regions (NA)
- The Effect of Bitter Taste Receptor Agonists on The Gastrointestinal Tract, Hunger and Food Intake (NA)
- Taste Physiology in Healthy, Normal-weight Volunteers (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: