Hydroxychloroquine

💊 What is Hydroxychloroquine used for?

• •Treatment of uncomplicated malaria in adults and children, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, or P. vivax
• •Prevention (prophylaxis) of malaria in areas where the label says chloroquine resistance is not reported, in adults and children
• •Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults
• •Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults
• •Treatment of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus in adults

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to take the tablets by mouth with food or milk.
• •Do not crush or divide the tablets, as the label says.
• •For malaria prevention, the label describes a weekly schedule that starts before travel to the area, continues during the stay, and goes on for a set time after leaving.
• •For malaria treatment, the label describes a dosing schedule over several days. Follow the full instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •200 mg tablets (white, capsule-shaped, film-coated)

⚠️ Hydroxychloroquine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Hydroxychloroquine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to 4-aminoquinoline compounds. The label says this medicine is contraindicated in that case.
• 🚨You have congenital or documented acquired QT prolongation, which is a heart rhythm condition. The label says to avoid use in this case.
• 🚨You have psoriasis or porphyria. The label says to avoid use in these conditions.
• 🚨You take other drugs that can prolong the QT interval. The label says the medicine is not recommended with these drugs.
• 🚨The label says it is not recommended for complicated malaria, or for malaria caused by resistant strains of Plasmodium.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber about any heart problems, including heart failure, heart attack, a slow heartbeat, or a history of dangerous heart rhythm problems.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have low potassium or low magnesium, since the label lists these as risk factors for heart rhythm problems.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have psoriasis or porphyria. The label says the medicine should be avoided in these conditions.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have kidney problems, macular (eye) disease, or if you take tamoxifen. The label lists these as risk factors for eye damage.
• •The label says an eye exam is recommended before starting and during treatment, and that the risk of eye damage grows with how long the medicine is used, with use longer than five years listed as a risk factor.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have diabetes or take insulin or other diabetes medicines, since the label says this medicine can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. A pregnancy registry is available (see Pregnancy).

🔀 Hydroxychloroquine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Other drugs that affect heart rhythm (QT-prolonging or arrhythmogenic drugs): not recommended, because the risk of dangerous heart rhythms may increase.
• •Insulin or other diabetes medicines: this medicine may increase the effect of these drugs and the risk of low blood sugar. The label says a dose change of those drugs may be needed.
• •Mefloquine and other antimalarials that lower the seizure threshold: may increase the risk of seizures.
• •Antiepileptic (seizure) medicines: their activity might be impaired.
• •Methotrexate: may increase the number of side effects.
• •Cyclosporine: may raise cyclosporine levels, so the label advises close monitoring.
• •Digoxin: may raise digoxin levels, so the label advises close monitoring.
• •Cimetidine: the label says to avoid use together.
• •Rifampicin: the label says it may reduce how well this medicine works, so the two should be avoided together.
• •Praziquantel: the label says a possible interaction cannot be ruled out. Ask your pharmacist for details.

Alcohol and food

The label says to take this medicine with food or milk. The label does not mention alcohol.

🤰 Hydroxychloroquine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says a pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in women who take this medicine during pregnancy. You can contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972. The label states that decades of clinical experience and published studies have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or harm to the mother or fetus. The label also notes that untreated malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus during pregnancy carries its own risks. Animal reproduction studies were not conducted. Talk with your prescriber about your situation.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store the tablets at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F), with brief excursions allowed between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). It says to keep the tablets in a tight, light-resistant container.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says overdose symptoms can start within 1 to 3 hours. Reported effects include serious heart rhythm problems, cardiac arrest, and death, as well as very low blood pressure, low potassium, seizures, vision problems, transient blindness, and coma. Treat any suspected overdose as an emergency and get medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Hydroxychloroquine

• Which of my conditions is this medicine for, and what should I expect from treatment?
• Do I need an eye exam before I start, and how often will I need them while taking this medicine?
• Do my heart health, potassium, or magnesium levels need checking before I start?
• Are any of my other medicines, including insulin or diabetes medicines, on the interaction list?
• How should I take this medicine with food or milk, and what should I do about a missed dose?
• What symptoms should make me call you right away?
• If I am pregnant or planning a pregnancy, what should I know about the pregnancy registry?

❓ Hydroxychloroquine: frequently asked questions