HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL

  • Home
  • HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (hi-DROX-ee-KLOR-oh-kwin)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Plaquenil

GENERIC NAME(S): hydroxychloroquine sulfate

Uses

USES: Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent or treat malaria infections caused by mosquito bites. It does not work against certain types of malaria (chloroquine-resistant). The United States Center for Disease Control provides updated guidelines and travel recommendations for the prevention and treatment of malaria in different parts of the world. Discuss the most recent information with your doctor before traveling to areas where malaria occurs. This medication is also used, usually with other medications, to treat certain auto-immune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) when other medications have not worked or cannot be used. It belongs to a class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It can reduce skin problems in lupus and prevent swelling/pain in arthritis, though it is not known exactly how the drug works.


How to use HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Hydroxychloroquine is usually taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In children, dosage is also based on weight. For malaria prevention, take this medication by mouth once a week on the same day of the week, or as directed by your doctor. Mark a calendar to help you remember. This drug is usually started 2 weeks before entering the area with malaria. Take it once weekly while in the area, and continue taking it for 4 to 8 weeks after leaving the area or as directed by your doctor. To treat malaria, follow your doctor's instructions. For lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily or as directed. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose. Once you have been taking the medication for a while and your condition has improved, your doctor may instruct you to lower your dose until you find the dose that works best with the fewest side effects. If you are also taking a certain drug for diarrhea (kaolin) or taking antacids (such as magnesium/aluminum hydroxide), take hydroxychloroquine at least 4 hours before or after these products. These products may bind with hydroxychloroquine, preventing your body from fully absorbing it. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. If you are taking it on a daily schedule, take it at the same time each day. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking it without talking with your doctor, especially if you are taking it for malaria. It is important to continue taking this for the length of time prescribed. Stopping prevention or treatment too soon may lead to infection or a return of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. It may take several weeks or months to see improvement if you are taking this for lupus or arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine may not prevent malaria in all cases. If you experience fever or other symptoms of illness, seek immediate medical attention. You may need a different medication. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes. (See also Notes section.)

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: arm/leg/back pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), hair loss/color change, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression, rare thoughts of suicide, hallucinations), ringing in the ears/hearing loss, worsening of skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis), severe stomach/abdominal pain, severe nausea/vomiting, easy bleeding/bruising, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin. This medication may rarely cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of low blood sugar, such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. If you have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugars regularly. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication. This medication may rarely cause serious (sometimes permanent) eye problems or muscle/nerve damage, especially if you take it for a long time. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: sensitivity to light, vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, seeing light flashes/streaks/halos, missing/blacked-out areas of vision), muscle weakness, numbness/tingling/pain of the arms/legs. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, fainting, seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking hydroxychloroquine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other aminoquinolines (e.g., chloroquine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain eye problems (macular disease, retinal or visual field problems from other aminoquinolines such as chloroquine), alcohol dependency, certain blood disorder (porphyria), certain genetic problem (G-6-PD deficiency), diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, certain skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis). This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Alcohol can also increase your risk of liver problems while you are taking this drug. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. This medication is not recommended for long-term use in children. If a child accidentally takes this medication, even a small amount can be very harmful (possibly fatal). Be sure to keep this drug out of the reach of children. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. This medication is not recommended for use in treating rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: ampicillin, cimetidine, digoxin, penicillamine.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include fainting, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, extreme excitability, slow/shallow breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness.

Images

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
color
white
shape
oblong
imprint
ZC38
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB
color
white
shape
oblong
imprint
AC54

Reviews

No Reviews Yet


Faq for HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL

Hydroxychloroquine is an oral medication that is mainly used to treat malaria or certain autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Hydroxychloroquine works by preventing the growth and spread of parasites in the body that cause malaria. It also helps to suppress the immune system, reducing the inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases.

Common side effects of hydroxychloroquine include nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and skin rash. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if these side effects become severe or persistent.

There is ongoing research investigating the potential use of hydroxychloroquine in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, it is not currently approved by the FDA for this purpose, and the efficacy and safety for COVID-19 are still uncertain.

Yes, hydroxychloroquine can interact with certain medications, including other antimalarial drugs, antacids, diabetes medications, and certain antibiotics. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking to avoid any potential interactions.

The time taken for hydroxychloroquine to work can vary depending on the condition being treated. In malaria, it may take several days to a few weeks to see full effectiveness. In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, it may take several weeks or even months to experience significant improvement.

Hydroxychloroquine is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, but it is important to discuss with a healthcare professional to weigh the potential risks and benefits. It is excreted in breast milk, but usually in low amounts, so it can typically be used while breastfeeding under medical supervision.

If you miss a dose of hydroxychloroquine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

It is generally recommended to gradually reduce the dose of hydroxychloroquine when discontinuing treatment, especially if it has been taken for an extended period. Suddenly stopping the medication may cause a flare-up of symptoms or a recurrence of the condition being treated.

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL Pricing Page Get Discount Coupon


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.