Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine is primarily used to treat acute attack of malaria. It belongs to the class of drugs called antimalarials. It is also prescribed to treat those patients of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, whose symptoms have not improved with the other treatments.

This medication is an alternative to chloroquine for the prophylaxis and treatment of chloroquine sensitive malaria. Recent development and the ongoing research have concluded that this drug can be used positively against COVID-19 (this is a new strain of Coronavirus that has been identified for the very first time in Wuhan, 2019).

Hydroxychloroquine comes in an oral tablet form, and should be taken by mouth. As the dose of this medicine depends on the weight of the patients, thus it may vary from individual to individual. This medicine can be taken along with a glass of milk or after a meal to decrease the nausea feeling.

One must inform their doctor if you have:

• Liver disease
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• Alcoholism
• G-6-PD deficiency
• Porphyria
• Other blood related disorders

As this medicine could be specifically sensitive to children (overdose). Thus it must be kept out of reach from children. If this medication is prescribed for a long period of time, your doctor will recommend you for frequent eye examinations. As this medication can cause serious vision related problems.

Symptoms of Hydroxychloroquine overdose include headache, drowsiness, visual changes, cardiovascular collapse, and seizures followed by respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Treatment is symptomatic; activated charcoal will bind the drug following GI decontamination; urinary alkalinization will enhance renal elimination.

It is important to complete full course of therapy which may take up to 6 months for full effect. May be taken with meals to decrease GI upset and bitter aftertaste. Avoid alcohol.

You should have regular ophthalmic exams (every 4-6 months) if using this medication over extended periods. You may experience skin discoloration (blue/black), hair bleaching, or skin rash. f you have psoriasis, you may experience exacerbation.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Malaria

• Malaria Prophylaxis

• Porphyria

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Allergy

• Liver Dysfunction

• Impaired Gastrointestinal Function

• Neurological Disorder

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Nausea Or Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Anorexia

• Dizziness

• Alopecia

• Pruritus

• Headache

• Blurred Vision

• Qt Prolongation

• Nail Discoloration

• Discoloration Of Skin

• Skin Rash

• Seizures

• Ototoxicity

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  The action of this medication lasts for about 537 hours (22.4 days).

• What is the onset of action?

  The effect of this medication is observed within 3-4 hours after its administration.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  This medication must be avoided during pregnancy. As high doses and prolonged duration of this medication can interfere with vision, hearing and balance of the fetus. This medication is also associated with neurological disturbances.

• Is it habit forming?

  Hydroxychloroquine should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  It has been reported that this medication has been found to enter breast milk of the mother taking Hydroxychloroquine. But limited data is available regarding the safety in the breastfed infants during Hydroxychloroquine long-term treatment. The prescriber should assess the potential risks and benefits of use during breastfeeding, according to the indication and duration of treatment.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  If you are consuming too much alcohol during the medication period, then Combination of Hydroxychloroquine and alcohol can have severe side effects on liver.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  You may experience dizziness, headache, nervousness, or lightheadedness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known).

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Hydroxychloroquine should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

• Does this affect liver function?

  Hydroxychloroquine should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Are there any missed dose instructions?

  If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Consult your doctor in case of overdose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Australia

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Hydroxychloroquine as ingredient

• Hydroquin 200Mg Tablet

  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

• Cartiquin 200Mg Tablet

  Overseas Healthcare Pvt Ltd

• Hydroquin 400Mg Tablet

  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

• Oxcq 200Mg Tablet

  Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

• Hqtor 200Mg Tablet

  Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Hqtor 400Mg Tablet

  Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Qyn 200Mg Tablet

  FDC Ltd

• Orthokind 200Mg Tablet

  Mankind Pharma Ltd

• Cartiquin 300Mg Tablet

  Overseas Healthcare Pvt Ltd

• Zy-Q 300Mg Tablet

  Zydus Cadila

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

It interferes with digestive vacuole function within sensitive malarial parasites by increasing the pH and interfering with lysosomal degradation of hemoglobin; inhibits locomotion of neutrophils and chemotaxis of eosinophils; impairs complement-dependent antigen-antibody reactions

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Alcohol

  The drug is not recommended with alcohol as it can lead to complications, you should try and keep the amount of intake of alcohol to a minimum as it may interfere with the working of the drug.

• Interaction with Medicine

  This medication interacts with Agalsidase, Aminoglycoside antibiotics, Antacids, Antidiabetic drugs, Antiepileptic drugs, Cimetidine, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Insulin, Mefloquine, Neostigmina, Praziquantel, Pyridostigmine, Tamoxifen and various other medicine falling in the same category. One must inform their physician at the time of prescription writing to avoid serious adverse effects.

• Interaction with Disease

  Use with caution in patients with hepatic disease, G-6-PD deficiency, psoriasis, and porphyria; long-term use in children is not recommended; perform baseline and periodic (6 months) ophthalmologic examinations; test periodically for muscle weakness.

• Interaction with Food

  Consumption of grapefruit or its juice should be avoided while taking Hydroxychloroquine.

• Ques : What was Hydroxychloroquine originally used for?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine is prescribed for the treatment of malaria and even for the prophylaxis in the patients sensitive to chloroquine.

• Ques : What are the common side effects of Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : The patient may suffer from stomach upset, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, dizziness, alopecia, pruritus, headache, blurred vision and skin rash after the ingestion of Hydroxychloroquine.

• Ques : Is it safe to take Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : Yes, it is safe to take Hydroxychloroquine unless you are allergic to it. But one must not self medicate himself. The medication must be taken only after a physician has prescribed it.

• Ques : Is Hydroxychloroquine a steroid?

  Ans : No, Hydroxychloroquine belongs to the class of antimalarial drugs and does not fall under the category of steroid.

• Ques : How quickly does Hydroxychloroquine work?

  Ans : It may take 3-4 hrs after the ingestion of Hydroxychloroquine to produce its action.

• Ques : Is Hydroxychloroquine safe in pregnancy?

  Ans : No, Hydroxychloroquine must not be prescribed to a pregnant woman, as it may interfere with the vision, hearing and balance of the fetus if this medication is taken in high doses and prolonged duration.

• Ques : Does Hydroxychloroquine affect fertility?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine has not been reported to have any sort of adverse effect over fertility.

• Ques : What happens if I stop taking Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : You must not stop taking Hydroxychloroquine and the symptoms of your clinical condition will return if you stop taking it abruptly without consulting your doctor.

• Ques : Can I drink alcohol with Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : No, Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended with alcohol. If taken, It can lead to complications.

• Ques : Does Hydroxychloroquine suppress your immune system?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine does possess immunomodulatory effect, which supports its use in treating autoimmune diseases. Relationship between the use of Hydroxychloroquine and its effect is yet to be declared.

• Ques : Who should not take Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : Patients who are allergic to Hydroxychloroquine should not take it. Other than this, patients suffering from liver dysfunction, impaired gastrointestinal function, neurological disorder, retinal disorder, hepatic or renal issues must also avoid taking Hydroxychloroquine.

• Ques : Does Hydroxychloroquine lower BP?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine do have mild blood pressure lowering effects. Thus the patients must inform the doctor if he is taking antihypertensive medications, just to avoid complications.

• Ques : Can Hydroxychloroquine cause AFIB?

  Ans : Side effects show that patients taking Hydroxychloroquine may suffer from QT prolongation, which may cause AFIB. You must consult a doctor before taking this medication.

• Ques : Does Hydroxychloroquine cause heart arrhythmia?

  Ans : Yes, ventricular arrhythmias and torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking Hydroxychloroquine.

• Ques : Can you take Tylenol with Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : It has not been identified till date that tylenol and Hydroxychloroquine will produce any interaction if taken together. But this does not employ that no interaction exists. You must consult a doctor before taking this medication.

• Ques : What painkillers can I take with Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine can be taken with other painkillers like, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol), prednisolone etc.

• Ques : What time of day should I take Hydroxychloroquine?

  Ans : What time of day should I take Hydroxychloroquine? You must follow the prescription. Take Hydroxychloroquine as the doctor has suggested you, either twice a day or once a day. As the dose and frequency of the medication depends on the severity and clinical condition of the patient.

• Ques : What does Hydroxychloroquine do for rheumatoid arthritis?

  Ans : Hydroxychloroquine alleviates the clinical condition of Rheumatoid arthritis patients as this drug is considered as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. It decreases the pain as well as the inflammation. This leads to prevent joint damage and also reduces the risk like long-term disability.

• Ques : Can you buy Hydroxychloroquine over the counter?

  Ans : No, Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription drug.

• Ques : Is it safe to take Hydroxychloroquine long term?

  Ans : Yes, it is concluded safe for long-term use if used at the recommended dose.

• Hydroxychloroquine- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/hydroxychloroquine

• Hydroxychloroquine- DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01611

• Hydroxychloroquine- MedlinePlus, NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. medlineplus.gov 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601240.html