Hydroxychloroquine
About Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription medication used to manage and treat specific chronic inflammatory and infectious conditions. It is primarily used to manage autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as to prevent and treat malaria infections. By targeting these conditions, the medicine helps reduce tissue damage and prevent severe disease flare-ups.
To get the best results, you must take Hydroxychloroquine consistently at the same time every day as directed by your healthcare provider. Always take your dose with a meal or a glass of milk to prevent stomach discomfort. Incorporating regular, low-impact exercise and protecting your skin from direct sun exposure can also help support your overall treatment plan.
While taking this medication, you may experience mild stomach issues like nausea or cramping, which usually fade as your body adjusts. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your vision, unusual muscle weakness, or irregular heartbeats.
Before starting this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of eye diseases, kidney or liver damage, or heart rhythm disorders. Do not take this if you have a known allergy to similar anti-malarial medicines. Your doctor will help determine if this is the safest option for your condition.
Certain medicines, such as antacids or diabetes medications, can interact with Hydroxychloroquine, and consuming alcohol may increase your risk of stomach upset and liver damage. Smoking should also be avoided as it can significantly reduce the effectiveness of this treatment for skin-related lupus symptoms. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your doctor before starting therapy
Uses of Hydroxychloroquine
• Malaria Treatment: Hydroxychloroquine is frequently used to treat and prevent malaria, especially in regions where the parasite that causes the disease is resistant to other drugs.
• Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: By lowering inflammation and pain in afflicted joints, the drug can help reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Treatment for Lupus Erythematosus: Hydroxychloroquine is useful in controlling the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease that can impact different body areas.
• Prevention of Some Autoimmune illnesses: It can be used to avoid flare-ups in people with autoimmune diseasess, which helps them manage their conditions over the long term.
Medicinal Benefits
When taken as prescribed, this medicine offers several important benefits, including:
- Long-Term Control of Chronic Inflammation: Hydroxychloroquine helps reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which may help decrease flare-ups, joint pain, and stiffness for improved daily comfort and mobility.
- Protection Against Autoimmune-Related Damage: By controlling an overactive immune response, Hydroxychloroquine helps reduce the risk of progressive damage to joints and internal organs caused by ongoing inflammation.
- Improved Daily Function and Quality of Life: By easing symptoms and improving disease control, Hydroxychloroquine supports better physical activity, independence, and the ability to perform everyday tasks more comfortably.
- Relief from Lupus-Related Skin Symptoms: In some patients with lupus, Hydroxychloroquine may help reduce inflammation-related skin problems, including rashes that worsen with sunlight exposure.
Directions for Use
- Hydroxychloroquine can be taken with or without food.
- Take Hydroxychloroquine as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your doctor will decide the dose, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a full glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break the medicine, as it may affect the way the medication is absorbed.
Storage
Side Effects of Hydroxychloroquine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea, vomiting, or mild stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Mild headache or dizziness
- Diarrhea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Blurry vision, difficulty reading, seeing halos, or any changes in colour perception
- Severe muscle weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet
- Irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Unusually low blood sugar levels, presenting as sweating, shaking, or confusion
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check for Antacid Interactions: Avoid taking antacids containing magnesium or aluminium within 4 hours of taking Hydroxychloroquine, as they may reduce the absorption of the medicine and make it less effective.
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: If you have diabetes, check your blood glucose regularly, as Hydroxychloroquine may lower blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.
- Attend Regular Eye Check-ups: Maintain scheduled eye examinations, as early retinal changes may not cause noticeable vision problems but can be detected through routine monitoring.
- Avoid Alcohol Consumption: Limit or avoid alcohol while taking Hydroxychloroquine, as it may worsen stomach irritation and increase the risk of liver-related side effects, especially during long-term use.
- Report Muscle or Coordination Problems: Contact your doctor if you notice unusual muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination, or other nerve-related symptoms, particularly after prolonged use of Hydroxychloroquine.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact.
- Antacids (containing magnesium or aluminium): Can decrease the absorption of Hydroxychloroquine. Space these medications at least 4 hours apart.
- Digoxin: Hydroxychloroquine may raise digoxin levels in your blood, increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.
- Diabetes medications (insulin or oral tablets): Combined use can lower blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of low blood sugar.
- Arrhythmia medications (such as amiodarone): Taking these together can increase the risk of serious, irregular heart rhythms.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safeAvoid alcohol while using Hydroxychloroquine since it can worsen your side effects and may interfere with the working of the medicine.
Pregnancy
unsafeHydroxychloroquine is not recommended during pregnancy. Please seek medical advice if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
unsafeHydroxychloroquine is not recommended during lactation since it is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before starting Hydroxychloroquine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
unsafeHydroxychloroquine may cause blurry vision affecting your ability to drive or operate. In such cases, do not drive or operate machinery until you are alert and have a clear vision.
Liver
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Hydroxychloroquine.
Kidney
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Hydroxychloroquine.
Children
unsafeSafety and efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine have not been established in children; please seek medical advice for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Protect your skin: Since hydroxychloroquine therapy can make your skin highly sensitive to sunlight, wear protective clothing, hats, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when outdoors.
- Prioritise regular eye exams: Schedule a baseline eye exam before starting the medication, and undergo annual comprehensive eye checkups as directed by your doctor to monitor your retinal health.
- Keep joints active: If treating arthritis, perform low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking to keep your joints flexible and strong without placing excess stress on them.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can decrease the effectiveness of this medication, especially when treating skin-related lupus symptoms. Talk to your healthcare team if you need support quitting.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor/laboratory staff know that you are taking Hydroxychloroquine if you undergo medical tests.
- While being treated with Hydroxychloroquine, your doctor may suggest an ECG (electrocardiogram) to monitor your heart health.
- Your doctor may also suggest tests for blood cell counts (during prolonged therapy) and liver and kidney function tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus: It is also known as adult-onset diabetes, a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant to breaking down glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance), or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produces little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people above 40 years, but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors.
Malaria: It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that enter the body through a mosquito's bite. This disease usually occurs when an Anopheles mosquito (infected with the parasite 'Plasmodium') bites a healthy individual and transfers the parasite into the bloodstream. Symptoms include chills, high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, anaemia, muscle pain, convulsions, coma, and bloody stools.
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue), leading to joint pain and damage. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities, and loss of joint function.
FAQs
Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis, dyslipidaemia (abnormally elevated cholesterol levels), systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease), polymorphous light eruption (a rash caused by sun exposure), and malaria.
Hydroxychloroquine contains Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-inflammatory drug that reduces inflammation in people with autoimmune disorders. Hydroxychloroquine improves insulin sensitivity in diabetes and has a hypoglycaemic effect. It is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agent that inhibits the production of rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis. It also decreases the elevated cholesterol levels in the body and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hydroxychloroquine is also an anti-malarial drug that treats malaria by increasing the concentration of a toxic compound in the parasite that leads to its death.
Inform your doctor in advance if you have any liver or kidney problems, heart diseases, diabetes, G-6-PD (glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency (a genetic enzyme deficiency), high blood pressure, serious stomach or gut problems, nervous system problems, psoriasis, porphyria (a blood disorder), history of heart attack (myocardial infarction), electrolyte imbalance, fits, and allergic reactions to medicines.
Hydroxychloroquine may cause drug-induced retinopathy (a disease related to the retina) when taken more than recommended. You may not be advised Hydroxychloroquine by your doctor if you have vision changes or damage to your retina. If the doctor has prescribed you this medicine knowing your medical history, you may be further advised to take ophthalmological examinations, including visual acuity, ophthalmoscopy, fundoscopy, and visual field tests. If there are any changes in these examinations, you may be asked to discontinue the treatment.
Hydroxychloroquine may sometimes affect mental health and cause problems like irrational thoughts, anxiety, hallucinations, feeling confused or feeling depressed, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Hence, you should speak to your doctor before using Hydroxychloroquine.
The side effects of Hydroxychloroquine include headache, blurred vision, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Hydroxychloroquine is currently under study in several clinical trials (research studies in human beings) to treat patients with COVID-19 (the illness caused by the novel coronavirus) and to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection. Hydroxychloroquine has shown some activity against the novel coronavirus in laboratory studies (in vitro studies). However, to determine whether Hydroxychloroquine is effective against the novel coronavirus, further evidence is needed.
No, we do not need to maintain a stock of Hydroxychloroquine. If you think you may have the new coronavirus infection, consult a doctor immediately and follow their advice strictly. Do not self-administer Hydroxychloroquine. Remember that it should be taken only if prescribed by a doctor.
Hydroxychloroquine should be taken as advised by the doctor. Take it with a meal or glass of milk to prevent nausea and stomach upset. Swallow it as whole. Do not crush, break or chew it.
Hydroxychloroquine may take a few weeks or months to show improvement in your symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases. However, it is important that you be patient and keep taking it regularly. In the meanwhile, your doctor may prescribe some additional medications to provide temporary relief from the symptoms.
Before starting treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, you must get an eye test and it should be repeated every12 months. Additionally, your doctor may recommend routine checks for your blood counts (CBC) and liver function test (LFT). If any abnormality is detected, your doctor may discontinue Hydroxychloroquine.
Hydroxychloroquine contains Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. It is neither an opioid, nor a painkiller nor a steroid. Hydroxychloroquine increases the concentration of a toxic compound in the parasite that leads to its death. It reduces inflammation in people with autoimmune disorders. It is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agent that inhibits the production of rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
Yes, you may take ibuprofen with Hydroxychloroquine as there are no interactions found between them. However, always please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Hydroxychloroquine.
If you stop taking Hydroxychloroquine without doctor’s consultation, your illness may worsen. Therefore, even if you start feeling better, do not stop taking Hydroxychloroquine without first consulting your doctor.
Yes, you need to be careful while using Hydroxychloroquine if you are diabetic as it may lower your blood glucose levels to dangerous levels so much resulting in loss of consciousness (severe hypoglycemia). Make sure to monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and if it begins to drop, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may change the doses of your anti-diabetic medications as per your blood glucose levels.
Yes, you may take Hydroxychloroquine but maintain a gap of minimum 4 hours between Hydroxychloroquine and antacid. If this gap is not maintained, then the antacid may interfere with the working or absorption of Hydroxychloroquine. Thereby, you may not experience the full benefits of Hydroxychloroquine.
For chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, it may take 4 to 12 weeks of consistent use to notice an improvement in symptoms, and up to 6 months for the full benefits. Talk to your doctor if you do not notice any changes after several weeks.
No, you should not stop taking your medication abruptly, even if you feel completely healthy. Stopping the treatment can cause your symptoms to flare up or worsen. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your dosing schedule.
Long-term use of this class of medication can occasionally cause damage to the retina at the back of the eye. Regular eye checks help monitor for early, subtle changes before your vision is affected. Talk to your doctor about your eye exam schedule.
Managing autoimmune diseases is crucial during pregnancy, but this medicine does cross the placenta. Talk to your doctor to weigh the clinical benefits of keeping your condition stable against any potential risks to the developing baby.
It is highly recommended to take this medication with a meal or a glass of milk. This protects your stomach lining and significantly reduces common side effects like nausea and abdominal cramps. Talk to your pharmacist if stomach issues persist.
Hydroxychloroquine is a mild immunomodulator rather than a strong immunosuppressant. It calms the specific pathways of the immune system that cause chronic inflammation, without leaving your entire body highly vulnerable to general infections. Talk to your doctor for more details.
Stop taking the medication and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any changes in your vision, such as blurriness or difficulty reading. Your doctor will perform an eye examination to evaluate the cause.
Generally, moderate intake of coffee or tea is fine. However, caffeine can sometimes worsen stomach sensitivity or mild headaches caused by the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice increased side effects after consuming caffeine.
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