By: Joe Graedon June 20, 2024 258 Comments
    Is Quinine in Tonic Water Safe?

    Quinine is bitter. Once you have tasted it you will not forget the taste of quinine. It gives tonic water a distinctive flavor. People who love gin and tonic savor the unique bite of this drink, espec…

    By: Terry Graedon March 26, 2018 6 Comments
    Sensitive to Quinine? Beware Tonic Water!

    Quinine was once available both as a prescription drug and over the counter. Doctors would prescribe it to help people cope with nighttime leg cramps. For some people, however, quinine can trigger a s…

    By: Joe Graedon November 21, 2013 23 Comments
    Tonic Water, Quinine Side Effects & Tinnitu…

    Q. Is it possible that the tonic water I drink every day to prevent leg cramps could be causing tinnitus? I would hate to give up tonic because it works so well for me against cramps. But the ringing …

    By: Terry Graedon September 16, 2013 10 Comments
    Tonic Water Can Help Prevent Nighttime Leg Cramp…

    Q. I have suffered with leg cramps for years. I used to buy quinine in the drugstore until the FDA banned it. Then I discovered tonic water. I drink a glass every other night and my leg cramps are no …

    By: Joe Graedon July 1, 2013 23 Comments
    Leg Cramp Remedy Could Be Lethal

    Q. I have been suffering with leg cramps for years and years. Recently my doctor told me about tonic water with quinine. It does help the leg cramps, but it is making me feel ill. My symptoms include …

    By: Joe Graedon July 6, 2011 15 Comments
    Tonic Water Remedy Nearly Proves Lethal

    Q. Your column on quinine water proved almost fatal for me. Night-time leg cramps have been an ongoing problem, so I bought a bottle of tonic water. On Saturday I had a 5 ounce glass before supper; Su…

    By: Joe Graedon April 21, 2009 82 Comments
    How Safe Is Tonic Water?

    Q. I have been drinking a liter or two of tonic water a week for nearly 25 years. Now I'm reading about risks associated with quinine. How much is too much? How much quinine is in tonic? What are the …

    By: Joe Graedon June 26, 2008 36 Comments
    Can Quinine Kill?

    Q. My niece told me that drinking tonic water helped her restless legs syndrome. I tried sipping some before I went to bed, and it helps. After I read in your column that the FDA bars doctors from pre…