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Brand name - Plaquenil
Medication type - Antimalarial
Common side effects - There are no
common side effects.
Rare side effects - Diarrhoea, loss
of appetite, headache, stomach cramps or pain, nausea or vomiting,
itching, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, loss or bleaching of hair,
skin rash. Also blue-black discoloration of the skin, the inside
of the mouth, or the fingernails.
Serious side effects - Blurred or altered
vision; blood problems including low white blood cell count (sore
throat, fever), anaemia (fatigue, weakness), and low platelet count
(easy bleeding and bruising). Such side effects are extremely rare;
call your doctor immediately if they occur.
Dosage - the usual dose for treating
SLE is 1 or 2 tablets daily.
Uses - To prevent and treat malaria.
It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE, or lupus).
Other notes - It can take up to 6 months
for the beneficial effects of the drug to be noticed. Take with
milk or food to reduce the chance of an upset stomach.The
use of hydroxychloroquine is generally discouraged during pregnancy
because of the risks it poses to the unborn child. Hydroxychloroquine
passes into breast milk; extreme caution is advised. Consult your
doctor for specific advice.
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