Cinchona
OTHER NAME(S): Arbol de la Quina, Bois aux Fièvres, Calisaya Bark, Cascarilla, China Bark, Chinarinde, Chinarindenbaum, Chininbaum, Cinchonine, Écorce du Pérou, Écorce de Quina, Écorce de Quinquina Rouge, Fever Tree, Fieberrinde, Fieberrindenbaum, Jesuit's Bark, Kina-Kina, Ledgerbark, Peruvian Bark, Poudre des Jésuites, Pulvis Cardinalis, Pulvis Partum, Quina-amarela, Quina-do-Amazonas, Quina-quina, Quineira, Quinine, Quino, Quinquina Gris, Quinquina Jaune, Quinquina Rouge, Red Bark, Red Cinchona Bark, Yellow Cinchona, Yellowbark, Cinchona calisaya, Cinchona ledgeriana, Cinchona carabayensis, Cinchona officinalis, Cinchona pubescens, Cinchona succirubra, Quina, Quinquina
Overview
Cinchona (Cinchona calisaya) is an evergreen tree that grows up to 15 meters in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The bark is used to make medicine.
Cinchona bark contains a chemical called quinine. Quinine has effects that help fight malaria and reduce heart palpitations.
People use cinchona for cancer, hemorrhoids, malaria, muscle cramps, varicose veins, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Cinchona overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Cinchona is likely safe when used as a flavoring in tonic water and alcoholic beverages. But it is possibly unsafe when used as medicine. Cinchona products sold as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are required to carry the warning, "Caution - discontinue use if ringing in the ears, deafness, skin rash, or visual disturbances occur." Cinchona contains quinine, which was banned by the US FDA due to serious side effects. In large amounts, cinchona is likely unsafe and has been linked to fatal heart complications.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Cinchona is likely safe when used as a flavoring in tonic water and alcoholic beverages. But it is possibly unsafe when used as medicine. Cinchona products sold as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are required to carry the warning, "Caution - discontinue use if ringing in the ears, deafness, skin rash, or visual disturbances occur." Cinchona contains quinine, which was banned by the US FDA due to serious side effects. In large amounts, cinchona is likely unsafe and has been linked to fatal heart complications.
Pregnancy: Cinchona is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It might stimulate the uterus and cause birth defects. Avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Cinchona is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Chemicals in chinchona can be passed to a nursing infant in breastmilk and cause toxic effects. Avoid use.
Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Don't use cinchona if you have ulcers. It might increase the risk of bleeding.
Heart conditions such as long QT interval syndrome: Cinchona contains quinine and quinidine. These chemicals can cause an irregular heartbeat and might increase the risk of irregular heartbeat in people with long QT syndrome.
Myasthenia Gravis: Don't use cinchona if you have myasthenia gravis. It contains quinine and quinidine, which might cause muscle weakness and make this condition worse.
Surgery: Cinchona might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using cinchona at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Antacids interacts with CinchonaAntacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Cinchona may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, cinchona might decrease the effectiveness of antacids. Also, cinchona contains quinidine and some antacids might slow down removal of quinidine from the body, increasing the risk of side effects.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol) interacts with CinchonaThe body breaks down carbamazepine to get rid of it. Cinchona contains quinine. Quinine can increase how much carbamazepine the body absorbs. Taking cinchona along with carbamazepine might increase the effects and side effects of carbamazepine.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CinchonaCinchona might slow blood clotting. Taking cinchona along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Phenobarbital (Luminal) interacts with CinchonaCinchona contains quinine. Quinine might increase how much phenobarbital is in the body. Taking cinchona with phenobarbital might increase the effects and side effects of phenobarbital.
- Quinidine interacts with CinchonaCinchona contains quinidine. Taking quinidine along with cinchona can increase the effects and side effects of quinidine. Do not take cinchona if you are taking quinidine.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with CinchonaCinchona contains quinine and quinidine, which can slow the rate at which digoxin is removed from the body. Taking cinchona along with digoxin might increase the effects and side effects of digoxin.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with CinchonaSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Cinchona might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs) interacts with CinchonaCinchona might affect electrical currents in the heart. This can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. Some medications can have this same effect. Taking cinchona with these medications might increase the risk for a serious heart issue.
- Quinine interacts with CinchonaCinchona contains quinine. Taking quinine along with cinchona can increase the effects and side effects of quinine. Do not take cinchona if you are taking quinine.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers) interacts with CinchonaH2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. Cinchona can increase stomach acid. Taking cinchona might decrease the effects of H2-blockers. Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with CinchonaProton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Cinchona can increase stomach acid. Taking cinchona might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors. Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Dosing
Traditionally, cinchona has been prepared as a tea. But there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of cinchona might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
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