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Generic Name: hydroxychloroquine (hye drox ee KLOR oh quinn)
Brand Names: Plaquenil Sulfate, Quineprox

What is hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug and an analgesic (pain reliever). The exact way that hydroxychloroquine works is unknown.

Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat and prevent malaria. Hydroxychloroquine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Hydroxychloroquine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about hydroxychloroquine?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydroxychloroquine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• had an allergic reaction to previous hydroxychloroquine therapy,

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency,

• ever had eye damage or visual changes due to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine (Aralen),

• psoriasis,

• porphyria, or

• liver disease.

You may not be able to take hydroxychloroquine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

How should I take hydroxychloroquine?

Take hydroxychloroquine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a hydroxychloroquine overdose include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, seizures, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine side effects

• allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

• fever;

• visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing;

• changes in eye color; or

• hearing loss or ringing in the ears.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take hydroxychloroquine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

• muscle weakness; or

• itching or a rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect hydroxychloroquine?

Before taking hydroxychloroquine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a gold compound such as aurothioglucose (Solganal), auranofin (Ridaura), or gold sodium thiomalate (Aurolate, Myochrysine);

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Folex).

You may not be able to take hydroxychloroquine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydroxychloroquine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about hydroxychloroquine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Hydroxychloroquine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Plaquenil in 200 mg tablets. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.