Quinine dosage in severe malaria with renal failure necessitating haemodialysis

Abstract

For therapy of severe malaria with renal failure, a 2/3 reduction in the usual intravenous dose of quinine is recommended (600 mg per 24 h instead of 600 mg per 8 h). Two patients with severe malaria and renal failure requiring dialysis have been treated. The half-life was not prolonged (15 h). Quinine proved to be nondialysable. It was shown that this dose of quinine tended to lead to a low level in blood (under 10 mg.l-1). A normal dose of quinine (2 x 15 mg/kg per day) is therefore recommended for malaria therapy, even in cases with renal failure requiring haemodialysis, in order to attain the desired plasma level (5 to 15 mg.l-1).