Quinine Source for Tonic Water?

[tkreyche]

Does anyone know if it's possible for homebrewers to legitimately buy quinine to make tonic water? I'm not interested in buying cinchona bark - the amount of quinine varies considerably and it contains other alkaloids. It appears that Quinine Sulfate is available as a prescription for treating malaria. Formerly it was apparently more available when it was used to treat leg cramps, but it is no longer considered safe. Also it appears that the quantity that can be legally added to commercial tonic water is limited, with standards slightly different depending on country.

Thanks, Tom

 

[DuncB]

Seems to still be available for leg cramps in British national formulary.
So it's safe, but not very effective but many patients find it helps.

"Quinine (anhydrous base) 100 mg = quinine bisulfate 169 mg; quinine dihydrochloride 122 mg; quinine hydrochloride 122 mg; and quinine sulfate 121 mg. Quinine bisulfate 300 mg tablets are available but provide less quinine than 300 mg of the dihydrochloride, hydrochloride, or sulfate."