hydroxychloroquine

Generic Name: hydroxychloroquine

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.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
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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.

It is not known whether hydroxychloroquine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take hydroxychloroquine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known how hydroxychloroquine will affect a nursing infant. Do not take hydroxychloroquine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take hydroxychloroquine with food to lessen stomach upset.

Store hydroxychloroquine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of hydroxychloroquine?

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.

Where can I get more information about hydroxychloroquine?
Your pharmacist has information about hydroxychloroquine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydroxychloroquine?

Stop taking hydroxychloroquine and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately if you experience an.

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

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Hydroxychloroquine may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking hydroxychloroquine?

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Hydroxychloroquine may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

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.

What happens if I have an overdose of hydroxychloroquine?

Seek emergency medical attention.

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

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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008