Serum levels of quinine following intramuscular administration to children.

The serum quinine level was assayed in 31 children four hours after receiving an intramuscular injection of quinine dihydrochloride; in 14 children the level was also assayed 2 hours after the injection. The quinine was quickly absorbed from muscle, with serum quinine levels being significantly higher at 2 hours than at 4 hours. The injections were not particularly painful, and muscle necrosis was not observed. Quinine is rapidly absorbed following intramuscular injection, and is a safe and reliable method of administering the drug to children with severe malaria. In most situations in Papua New Guinea (PNG), intramuscular administration of quinine is preferable to intravenous infusion.