In this edition of The People’s Pharmacy, Joe and Teresa Graedon also hear from a reader who shares their favorite insect repellent.

Quinine is found in small quantities in tonic water providing its bitter taste. Quinine use for leg cramps has been discouraged due to the side effect profile and its potential drug-drug interactions.

Staying hydrated by drinking extra water and stretching your calf muscles before bed might help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. [10]Try to get enough nutrients like magnesium and calcium from ...

The last 200 years have seen this life-saving tonic water medicine become a profitable business enterprise. What is Quinine. ... While it was somewhat effective, there were numerous side effects, and ...

Tonic water containing quinine is sometimes promoted for easing leg cramps. Research shows quinine is moderately helpful for decreasing the frequency and intensity of muscle cramps, but it is ...

Leg cramps at night may be caused by a compressed nerve in the lumbar spine (the lower back) or along the peripheral nerve (the nerves branching out from the brain and spinal cord), says Dr. Chen.

Restless leg syndrome. Those who have restless leg syndrome seem to describe some of their symptoms as cramps, she said. "If you consistently feel like you wake up after being asleep for several ...

Tonic water is a soft drink containing quinine, which gives it a bitter taste. Quinine is a common treatment for malaria. Some people believe that it can also help with leg cramps and restless ...

A. Please seek immediate medical attention. You may be suffering quinine toxicity. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, flushing, fever and fatigue.

But prescribed doses of quinine are around 300 mg, and the FDA restricts the amount of quinine in tonic water to 83 mg per liter — far more than you’d get from a standard cocktail.