Quinine is used to particularly treat nocturnal leg cramps and has
been tried for PD. No reliable reference : Goodman & Gilman, the
Johns-Hopkins Handbook of Drugs, etc cites positive evidence that quinine is
of any use in these conditions. However, it is available as a prescription
from some pharmacies (e.g. the Vanderbilt Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy
in Nashville),but there are more effective antimalarials. The belief that
quinine relieves leg cramps is about as well-documented as the curative
action of noodle soup in the flu --, and soup tastes much better. Quinine is
one of the bitterest substances known. `
However, there is an agent that can provide dramatic relief against the
superficial leg pain frequently observed in PD, namely,capsaicin, by
prescription or otc (Dr.'s Cream; DABAT, P.O.B. 11783, Nashville, TN.
Thoroughly wash or avoid contaminating any part of the body that has been
exposed to capsaicin such as the external genitalia. It will give you no fun.
Steven Mayer, Ph.D.
Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
