Quinine overdose: review of toxicity and treatment.

Quinine sulfate is a commonly prescribed remedy for idiopathic nocturnal leg cramps and is now available "over the counter." A 24-year-old man ingested 8 g (a commonly dispensed quantity) of quinine sulfate in a suicide attempt. Despite hemoperfusion begun 10 h after ingestion, the patient died. This report reviews the toxic manifestations of quinine and the currently available modes of treatment.