The two compounds differ only in their optical isomerism, but toward living systems quinidine is more toxic. Quinine overdose is less common than before, as it is mainly used for abortion. Both drugs are muscle depressants and both are excreted rapidly.
The main symptoms are nausea, headache, vomiting, ataxia, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tinnitus. Tachycardia is associated with arrhythmia heart rate and to drop blood pressure. Some subjects may manifest these symptoms even at very low doses.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is almost always based on history, and because of rapidity in treatment, plasma-type investigations are excluded. Due to the presence of spontaneous vomiting, active emptying of the stomach is unnecessary. Supportive measures are the basis of treatment, with bilateral stellate ganglion block maneuvers by direct injection of a local anesthetic.
Source: Vadecum of poisoning therapy by Roy Goulding
