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 & Effectiveness

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.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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

  • Quinidine interacts with Cinchona

    Cinchona 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 Cinchona

    Cinchona 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 Cinchona

    Some 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 Cinchona

    Cinchona 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.

  • Antacids interacts with Cinchona

    Antacids 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 Cinchona

    The 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 Cinchona

    Cinchona 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 Cinchona

    Cinchona 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.

  • Quinine interacts with Cinchona

    Cinchona 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 Cinchona

    H2-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 Cinchona

    Proton 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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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