Efficacy and safety of quinine loading dose in patients with severe falciparum malaria at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of a loading dose regimen of quinine with a uniform dose regimen in patients with severe falciparum malaria.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 315 patients admitted with severe falciparum malaria and treated with quinine at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Karachi, Pakistan during 1999-2006 was conducted. Group A with 103 patients (32.