[e-drug] RFI: quinine syrup

e-drug
1

E-DRUG: RFI: quinine syrup
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hi

I have been looking for information regarding with quinine syrup but i have got nothing, if possible let me have some website where these information can be readily available.

thank you

Betty Njau
mriab76@yahoo.com

[Please check the E-drug archives as some questions have been answered before at: http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug/
For example, see:
http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug/archive/199901/msg00049.php

We found these two formulae in the "Practical Pharmacy" Issue No. 7:

Formula A - using quinine dihydrochloride powder

Quinine dihydrochloride BP ........................12.2g
Sodium Benzoate ...........................................1.0g
Water ..........................................................200ml
Syrup BP .........................to 1000ml final volume

Method:
1. Dissolve the sodium benzoate in the water.
2. Dissolve the quinine dihydrochloride in the sodium benzoate
solution.
3. Mix well
4. Make upto volume with the Syrup BP
5. Mix well. Store in a dark glass, or opaque plastic bottle, with a
well fitting lid. Store away from bright light and heat.

Formula B - using quinine dihydrochloride injection (600mg/2ml)
Quinine dihydrochloride 600mg/2ml .........................35ml
Sodium Benzoate................................................ 1g
Water ......................................100ml
Syrup BP ...................................to 1000ml final volume

Method:
as above

A flavouring agent can be added (at stage 3 in the method). The
following could be used:
Concentrated Anise water........................................20ml
Concentrated Peppermint emulsion ........................25ml
Lemon spirit ..................................................10ml

Benzoic acid can be used instead of Sodium benzoate. The same
quantity is used.

I used formula B in the hospital. I found that a white flocculation
took place at the time of adding the quinine dihydrochloride to the
sodium benzoate solution. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has
suggested that sodium benzoate be replaced by benzoic acid.

I trust these formulae will be useful to someone.

Yours,

Mahmood H.M. Daya, MRPharmS
Pharmacist
Ithnasheri Charitable Hospital
P.O. Box 7176
Arusha
Tanzania
Tel: (057) 2320/7692/6206
Fax (057) 4460
E-mail: dpl@habari.co.tz (personal)
ich@eoltz.com (hospital)

]
WB

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E-DRUG: Masters thesis on paediatric formulations
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Dear colleagues,

As we are aware, the problem of finding suitable paediatric formulations is
not a new one, but with pandemics such as HIV/AIDS killing children at
alarming rates, it is a problem that has required amplified focus and
attention.

I will shortly be commencing a Masters in Industrial Drug Development -
with special outlook on public health issues, and have a keen interest in
focusing my masters thesis on paediatric HIV treatment. At the moment this
is a blank slate - I would therefore like to hear from colleagues around
the world, what specific problems they are facing when trying to provide
treatment to children (whether as a drug developer, physician, primary care
giver, hospital pharmacist or other function directly or indirectly related
to providing medication to children). Should there be any particular areas
that are lacking attention/ detailed study - I would also be intent on
hearing about these.

In addition, I would be grateful for references for further reading on this
topic.

Finally, as this is a costly private undertaking, I would welcome ideas on
sources of funding!

Many thanks,
Lombe

Ms Lombe Kasonde
Assistant Technical Officer
UNICEF Supply Division
Freeport, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Tel: +45 35 27 30 30
Fax: +45 35 26 94 21
http://www.unicef.org/supply

[dear Lombe, very necessary topic! Paediatric AIDS is a neglected disease. For funding: wasn't there a UN agency working specifically for children?
;-] WB]

3

E-DRUG: RFI: quinine syrup (2)
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Dear Mahamood and others,

What about the stability issue of that quinine syrup?
Can you briefly give a short discussion why the syrup has been not on large scale production? Could it be due problem with raw material or
drug stability?

I will be grateful

Sincerely

Minzi OMS,
Clinical Pharamacology Department
Muhimbili University College of Health DSciences,
PO BOX 65010,
Dar Es salaam
Tanzania
ominzi@muchs.ac.tz

[Quinine is an essential drug, but did you try to drink it? Even with all sugar etc it tastes awful... Could that be a reason? WB]

4

E-DRUG: RFI: quinine syrup (3)
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Dear Minzi,

Quinine is availoable as an injection so presumabaly is quite stable in
solution form.

I think taste is one main problem plus drug companies are not attracted by
a market that is not seen as lucrative. (this is seen with many paediatric
preps). Interestingly there is a completely tasteless and palatable ester
of quinine listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoiea, which could well be
developed in to an oral liquid. This has never been done to my knowledge.

When we looked at this a few years ago we had some difficulty finding the
raw material. It would be good if a manufacturer could pick this up and do
some formulation work.

Regards,

Dave Woods
Consultant Pharmacist
University of Otago
Dunedin
NEW ZEALAND
http://www.pharminfotech.co.nz
david.woods@stonebow.otago.ac.nz