Hydroxychloroquine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is Hydroxychloroquine used for?

Hydroxychloroquine is a drug to prevent or treat malaria infections caused by mosquito bites. This drug does not work against some types of malaria (chloroquine-resistant). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States provide the latest travel guidelines and recommendations for malaria prevention and treatment in various parts of the world. Check with your doctor for this update before traveling to areas affected by malaria.

This medication is also used, usually with other drugs, to treat certain auto-immune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) when other drugs don't work or can't be used. This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as modified antirheumatic disease drugs (DMARDs). This drug can reduce skin problems in lupus and prevent swelling / pain in arthritis, although it is not known exactly how the drug works for both types of disease.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug can also be used for other types of infections (for example, Q feverendocarditis)

How do you use Hydroxychloroquine?

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 body weight. For malaria prevention, take this medication once a week on the same day of the week, or as directed by your doctor. Mark the calendar to help you remember it. This medication is usually started 2 weeks before you enter an area with malaria. Take it once a week while in an area with malaria, and continue to take the medication for 4-8 weeks after leaving the affected area or as directed by your doctor. To treat malaria, follow the directions from your doctor.

For lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, take this medication, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor, your doctor may gradually increase your dose. As your condition begins to improve, your doctor may ask you to reduce your dose until you find the most appropriate and best dose so that at least the side effects that appear are not too many. Use this remedy regularly to get the best benefits. If you drink on a daily schedule, then drink it at the same time every day. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor, especially if you are taking it with the intention of treating malaria. It is highly recommended to continue taking this medication for a specified period of time. Stopping prevention or treatment too soon can cause infection or can cause the infection to come back.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse. This method of treatment may take several weeks or months for the condition to improve, if you are taking this medicine for lupus or rheumatoid. Hydroxycholorquine cannot prevent malaria in all cases. If you experience fever or other symptoms of the disease, seek medical attention immediately. You may need a different medication. Avoid mosquito bites.

How to store Hydroxychloroquine?

Store at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Hydroxychloroquine?

Before taking Hydroxychloroquine, tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• If you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine (Aralen), primaquine, or other drugs.
• Regarding the prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), digoxin (Lanoxin), iron-containing drugs (including multivitamins), isoniazid (Nydrazide), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), niacin, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) ), and vitamins and herbal products.
• If you have or have ever had liver disease, psoriasis, porphyria or other blood disorders, G-6-PD deficiency, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
• If you have ever had vision problems while taking hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine (Aralen), or primaquine.
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking hydroxychloroquine, call your doctor.

Is Hydroxychloroquine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category C. (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = unknown)

A number of studies show that in women who are breastfeeding this medicine poses minimal risk to the baby.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Hydroxychloroquine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• Muscle weakness, twitching, or involuntary movements
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Blurred vision, light sensitivity, seeing halos around lights
• Pale skin, bruises or bleeds easily
• Confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Seizures

Less serious Hydroxychloroquine side effects include:

• Headache, ringing in ears, sensation of spinning
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Loss of appetite, weight loss
• Mood swings, feeling nervous or irritable
• Skin rash or itching; or
• Hair loss

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the action of the drug Hydroxychloroquine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Antibiotics, antifungal drugs, sulfa drugs, or tuberculosis drugs
• Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Blood pressure medication
• Cancer drugs
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Simcor, Vytorin, Zocor
• Gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections)
• HIV / AIDS drugs
• Medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;
• NSAIDs such as Advil, Aleve, Arthrotec, Cataflam, Celebrex, Indocin, Motrin, Naprosyn, Treximet, Voltaren
• Seizure medication

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the drug Hydroxychloroquine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Hydroxychloroquine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Blood disease (severe) - Hydroxychloroquine can cause blood disorders
• Vision problems - Hydroxychloroquine can cause serious side effects to the eyes, especially in high doses
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency - Hydroxychloroquine can cause serious blood side effects in patients with this deficiency
• Kidney Disease - there may be an increased chance of side effects in patients with kidney disease
• Liver disease - may decrease the shedding of Hydroxychloroquine from the blood, increasing the chance of side effects
• Brain and nerve disease (severe), including seizures - Hydroxychloroquine can cause muscle weakness and in high doses, seizures
• Porphyria - Hydroxychloroquine can worsen porphyria symptoms
• Psoriasis - Hydroxychloroquine can cause severe bouts of psoriasis
• Stomach disease or (severe) intestinal disease - Hydroxychloroquine can cause stomach irritation

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Hydroxychloroquine for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:

Treatment of acute attack: 800 mg (620 mg base) continued in 6-8 hours with 400 mg (310 mg base), then 400 mg (310 mg base) once daily for 2 consecutive days; alternatively, a single dose of 800 mg (620 mg base) is also effective.

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:

Suppression: 400 mg (310 mg base) orally on the same day each week

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Initial dose: 400-600 mg (310-465 mg base) orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 200-400 mg (155-310 mg base) orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

Discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus:

Initial dose: 400 mg (310 mg base) orally once or twice daily for several weeks or months depending on patient response

Maintenance dose: 200-400 mg (155-310 mg base) orally once a day

What is the dosage of the drug Hydroxychloroquine for children?

Usual children's dosage for malaria:

Acute attack treatment: 1 year and above:

First dose: 10 mg base / kg (not to exceed 620 mg base)

Second dose: 5 mg base / kg (not to exceed 310 mg base) 6 hours after the first dose

Third dose: 5 mg base / kg 18 hours after the second dose

Fourth dose: 5 mg base / kg 24 hours after the third dose

Usual children's dosage for malaria prophylaxis:

1 year and above: 5 mg base / kg body weight (not to exceed 310 mg base) orally on the same day every week

Usual children's dose for Dermatomyositis: Case Reviews (n = 25)

Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDMS):

1.5-15 years: 7 mg / kg orally per day (added to first-line therapy for JDMS if the patient has a widespread skin rash and requires high doses of steroids)

In what dosages and preparations is Hydroxychloroquine available?

Hydroxychloroquine is available as a tablet, orally: 200 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Hydroxychloroquine overdose can be fatal, especially in children.

Treatment caused by an overdose of Hydroxychloroquine must be started quickly. You may be directed to perform immediate vomiting induction (at home, before transportation to the emergency room). Ask a poison control center how to induce vomiting in case of an overdose of Hydroxychloroquine.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, visual disturbances, slow heart rate, severe chest or chest pain, pain radiating to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, seizures, shortness of breath, or breathing that stops.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.