Quinine antipyretic action

Quinidine Quinidex) was one of the first clinically used antiarrhythmic agents. Because of the high incidence of ventricular proarrhythmia associated with its use and numerous other equally efficacious agents, quinidine is now used sparingly. Quinidine shares all of the pharmacological properties of quinine, including an-timalarial, antipyretic, oxytocic, and skeletal muscle relaxant actions. 

Quinine has certain minor pharmacological actions quite distinct from its antimalarial role analgesic (in prohibitively high dosage), striated muscle relaxant, and antipyretic. Other uses of quinine are as a sclerosing agent, a bowel evacuant, and in dermatological practice. 

Unfortunately, quinine s antipyretic properties are relatively mild. The profound effects of quinine on malaria are due not to its febrifugal powers but to its specific action on the plasmodia responsible for the disease see Ibid., 906. 

The physiological action of the cinchona alkaloids is that of an antipyretic or febrifugCj lowering the body temperature in case of fevers. Quinine retards the action of oxidase enzymes and acts as a poison to certain organisms, especially that of malaria. Its first use was as a specific for this form of fever. It has a very bitter taste and in common with other substances of like properties it acts on the alimentary canal causing increased secretion of digestive juices. 

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