Hydroxychloroquine
Generic Name: Hydroxychloroquine (hye-drox-ee-KLOR-oh-kwin)
Brand Name: Plaquenil
Hydroxychloroquine is used for:Treating certain types of malaria. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Hydroxychloroquine is an aminoquinolone. It is thought to kill sensitive malaria parasites by stopping normal metabolism inside the parasite.
Do NOT use Hydroxychloroquine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Hydroxychloroquine
- you have vision problems or retinal changes
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Hydroxychloroquine :Some medical conditions may interact with Hydroxychloroquine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
-
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or blood problems (eg, porphyria)
- if you have psoriasis, digestive system disease, liver or kidney disease, high blood acid levels, or a central nervous system disease
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hydroxychloroquine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Quinacrine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Hydroxychloroquine
- Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Hydroxychloroquine
- Rabies vaccine or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Hydroxychloroquine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hydroxychloroquine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Hydroxychloroquine :Use Hydroxychloroquine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Hydroxychloroquine by mouth with food or a glass (8 oz/240 mL) of milk.
- If possible, preventative measures for malaria should begin 2 weeks before exposure and be continued for 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.
- If you are taking Hydroxychloroquine for lupus or arthritis, it may take 4 to 12 weeks for Hydroxychloroquine to work.
- If you miss a dose of Hydroxychloroquine , take it as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hydroxychloroquine .
Important safety information:
- Hydroxychloroquine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Hydroxychloroquine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- If your symptoms do not improve after several months or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Hydroxychloroquine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Hydroxychloroquine . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Contact your health care provider if you notice any muscle weakness or
problems with vision or hearing. Your knee and ankle reflexes will be tested periodically.
- Hydroxychloroquine should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and eye tests, may be performed while you use Hydroxychloroquine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Hydroxychloroquine while you are pregnant. Hydroxychloroquine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Hydroxychloroquine .
Possible side effects of Hydroxychloroquine :All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Diarrhea; dizziness; loss of appetite; mild headache; nausea;
stomach cramps. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; decreased coordination; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; mental or mood changes; muscle weakness;
red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
(1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison
control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; excessive excitability; fainting; headache; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness;
mood changes; seizures; severe drowsiness or dizziness; slow, shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Hydroxychloroquine :Store Hydroxychloroquine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F
(15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Hydroxychloroquine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Hydroxychloroquine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Hydroxychloroquine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hydroxychloroquine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: September 5, 2007
Database Edition 07.3.1.003
Copyright © 2007 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
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