Hydroxychloroquine belongs to a class of medicines called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling and slow down the progress of certain autoimmune diseases (disease where the body's natural defence system attacks own body cells) such as:
In the long term, it reduces permanent damage to the organs such as joints, lung and skin. It may be used on its own or in combination with other DMARDs or biologic agents.
Side effects may occur when taking Hydroxychloroquine, but the majority of these effects tend to resolve spontaneously. Common side effects include:
Consult your doctor or pharmacist about any symptoms that becomes bothersome.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency or porphyria (group of diseases in which substances called porphyrins build up, negatively affecting the skin or nervous system), as Hydroxychloroquine may not be suitable for you.
Come back to the hospital for regular blood test as instructed by your doctor.
Your doctor also may suggest regular eye exams while taking this medication. Visual changes experienced early on or seen early during regular eye exams usually improve after stopping the medication.
Because adverse effects can happen at any time during the course of treatment and some side effects may not cause symptoms, it is really important that you have your regular blood and eye test.
Hydroxychloroquine may interact with other medicine or supplement that you are taking. Inform the doctor, pharmacist or specialty nurse (such as dermatology or rheumatology) before starting any medicines and supplements.
Your doctor may reduce your dose when taken with medicines such as Tamoxifen (a medicine to treat breast cancer), as they might increase the chance of you experiencing severe side effects.
Hydroxychloroquine should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. It is given orally, after food, usually once or twice daily.
A typical adult dose ranges from 200 milligrams to 400 milligrams daily. Your doctor may reduce the dose if you have kidney problem.
You may start to see improvement within a few weeks, but it may take up to several months to experience its full benefit.
If you forget to take the tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the forgotten dose. Resume the next dose at the regular timing. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
STOP taking Hydroxychloroquine and let your doctor know if you develop an allergic reaction. Rash due to allergic reaction to Hydroxychloroquine is rare. Possible symptoms of allergic reaction are:
STOP taking Hydroxychloroquine and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the rare but severe side effects:
While having treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, you must see your doctor as scheduled, including any eye check-up to monitor response to treatment and minimize any possible side effect.
Hydroxychloroquine may interact with other medicine or supplement that you are taking. Inform the doctor, pharmacist or specialty nurse (such as dermatology or rheumatology) before starting any medicines and supplements.
Your doctor may reduce your Colchicine dose when taken with medicines such as Tamoxifen (a medicine to treat breast cancer), as they might increase the chance of you experiencing severe side effects.
Alcohol should be avoided if possible or kept to a minimum as suggested by your rheumatologist because alcohol may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects associated with hydroxychloroquine.
For female patient, do inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Hydroxychloroquine can be continued during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
