Uses
Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE; a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; a chronic inflammatory condition of the body) and rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments. Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of drugs called antimalarials. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria. Hydroxychloroquine may work to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus by decreasing the activity of the immune system.
Side Effects Of Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dizziness
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- rash
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- difficulty reading or seeing (words, letters, or parts of objects missing)
- sensitivity to light
- blurred vision
- changes in vision
- seeing light flashes or streaks
- difficulty hearing
- ringing in ears
- muscle weakness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- bleaching or loss of hair
- mood or mental changes
- irregular heartbeat
- drowsiness
- convulsions
- decreased consciousness or loss of consciousness
- thinking about harming or killing yourself
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking hydroxychloroquine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, primaquine, quinine, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention acetaminophen (Tylenol, others); azithromycin (Zithromax); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin), insulin and oral medication for diabetes; medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), or valproic acid (Depakene); certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Pacerone); methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep); moxifloxacin (Avelox); praziquantel (Biltricide); and tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with hydroxychloroquine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- if you are taking antacids, take them 4 hours before or 4 hours after hydroxychloroquine. If you are taking ampicillin, take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after hydroxychloroquine.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, heart disease, a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), an irregular heartbeat, a low level of magnesium or potassium in your blood, psoriasis, porphyria or other blood disorders, G-6-PD deficiency (an inherited blood disease), dermatitis (skin inflammations), seizures, vision problems, diabetes, kidney problems, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
- tell your doctor if you have ever had vision changes while taking hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine (Aralen), or primaquine.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking hydroxychloroquine, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. If you are an adult and taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent malaria, one dose is usually taken once a week on exactly the same day of each week. You will begin treatment 1 to 2 weeks before you travel to an area where malaria is common and then continue during your time in the area and for 4 weeks after you return. If you are an adult and taking hydroxychloroquine to treat malaria, the first dose is usually taken right away, followed by another dose 6 to 8 hours later and then additional doses on each of the next 2 days. For the prevention or treatment of malaria in infants and children, the amount of hydroxychloroquine is based on the child’s weight. Your doctor will calculate this amount and tell you how much hydroxychloroquine your child should receive.
If you are taking hydroxychloroquine to treat lupus erythematosus (DLE or SLE), it is usually taken once or twice a day. If you are taking hydroxychloroquine to treat rheumatoid arthritis, it is usually taken once or twice a day.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Hydroxychloroquine tablets can be taken with a glass of milk or a meal to decrease nausea.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take hydroxychloroquine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are taking hydroxychloroquine for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, your symptoms should improve within 6 months. If your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, stop taking the drug and call your doctor. Once you and your doctor are sure the drug works for you, do not stop taking hydroxychloroquine without talking to your doctor. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will return if you stop taking hydroxychloroquine.
Other
Children can be especially sensitive to an overdose, so keep the medication out of the reach of children. Children should not take hydroxychloroquine for long-term therapy.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests and electrocardiograms (EKG, a test to monitor your heart rate and rhythm) to check your response to hydroxychloroquine.
If you are taking hydroxychloroquine for a long period of time, your doctor will recommend frequent eye exams. It is very important that you keep these appointments. Hydroxychloroquine can cause serious vision problems. If you experience any changes in vision, stop taking hydroxychloroquine and call your doctor immediately.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
