Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

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.