Final answer:
Cinchonism, primarily caused by the use of quinine, includes symptoms such as deafness, tinnitus, and visual disturbances. Other drugs in the quinoline class may also cause cinchonism, and people with G6PD deficiency can experience severe reactions like hemolysis due to oxidative stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cinchonism is a condition commonly associated with the use of quinine, a drug historically used in the treatment of malaria. This syndrome is characterized by a series of symptoms, which include tinnitus, slight deafness, photophobia, visual disturbances, mental dullness, depression, confusion, headache, and nausea. While quinine is the primary drug known to cause cinchonism, it should be noted that any drugs within the quinoline or related classes, including certain anti-malarial medications, might potentially result in similar effects.
The severe adverse events associated with quinine usage are not just limited to cinchonism. Patients with glucose-6-phosphate (G6PD) deficiency may have an increased risk of hemolysis due to the formation of redox active quinones, leading to oxidative stress and red cell destruction. A particularly severe reaction linked to quinine consumption is blackwater fever, a syndrome characterized by hemolysis and hemoglobinuria. In the past, the discovery of such severe side effects has spurred research into developing safer anti-malarial drugs. When treating with drugs known to potentially cause cinchonism or related adverse effects, it is important for healthcare providers to monitor patients closely for symptoms. This is especially so for those with pre-existing conditions such as G6PD deficiency that may heighten the risk of severe outcomes.