Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS-200 Plaquenil) 200 mg is an aminoquinoline like chloroquine, which is used in the prevention and treatment of malaria, a disease characterized by chills, fever and sweating that is passed from one person to another by a mosquito bite.
Hydroxychloroquine is also used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Drug = Hydroxychloroquine
Strength = 200 mg
How To Take Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS-200 Plaquenil) 200 mg
This medicine should be taken together with food or with a glass of milk. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Hydroxychloroquine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take Hydroxychloroquine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Dosage of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS-200 Plaquenil) 200 mg
Discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus; Rheumatoid arthritis: Initial: 400 mg/day as single or in 2 divided doses. Maintenance: 200-400 mg/day. Maximum: 6.5 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/day whichever is lower.
Prophylaxis of malaria: Initial: 400 mg once weekly, 2 weeks before exposure and continued until 8 weeks after exposure; if 2-week lead-in period is not possible, 800 mg as loading dose in 2 divided doses 6 hr apart, then 400 mg once weekly, continued until 8 weeks after exposure. All doses should be taken on the same day of each week.
Acute malaria: Initial: 800 mg, then 400 mg after 6-8 hours, and a further 400 mg once daily for 2 succeeding days; or 800 mg as single dose.
Missed Dose of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS-200 Plaquenil) 200 mg
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose
Signs of overdose may include the following:
- Headache
- Visual disturbances
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Convulsions
- Hypokalemia
- Rhythm and conduction disorders
- Including QT Prolongation
- Torsades de pointes
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Ventricular fibrillation
Potentially Fatal:
- Respiratory and cardiac arrest
Seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Hydroxychloroquine:
- Pre-existing maculopathy of the eye
Side Effects of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS-200 Plaquenil) 200 mg
Hydroxychloroquine may have the following side effects:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocardial toxicity
- QT interval prolongation
- Ventricular arrhythmia
- Torsade de pointes
- Skin reactions
- Bone marrow suppression
- Proximal myopathy
- Neuromyopathy leading to progressive weakness
- Proximal muscle atrophy
- Depressed tendon reflexes
- Abnormal nerve conduction
- Suicidal behaviour
- Keratopathy
- Retinopathy
- Ataxia
- Dizziness
- Emotional disturbance
- Emotional lability
- Headache
- Irritability
- Lassitude
- Nerve deafness
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Vertigo
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Bronchospasm
- Acute hepatic failure
- Hepatic insufficiency
- Exacerbation of porphyria
- Weight loss
- Haemolysis in G6PD deficiency
- Accommodation disturbance
- Corneal changes
- Decreased visual acuity
- Macular edema
- Nystagmus
- Optic disk disorder
- Retinal pigment changes
- Retinal vascular disease
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Scotoma
- Vision color changes
- Visual field defect
- Tinnitus
- Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis
- Pecia
- Bleaching of hair
- Bullous rash
- Dyschromia
- Annulare centrifugum erythema
- Erythema multiforme
- Exacerbation of psoriasis
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Lichenoid eruption
- Maculopapular rash
- Morbilliform rash
- Pruritus
- Skin photosensitivity
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Urticaria
- Purpuric rash
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Potentially Fatal:
- Cardiac failure
- Severe hypoglycemia
Warnings
Alert your doctor if you have an abnormality in the retina (nerve layer at the back of the eye) or visual field.
Hydroxychloroquine should not be given to children for long term treatment. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- Digoxin
- Cimetidine
- Neostigmine
- Pyridostigmine
- Insulin
- Metformin
Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
This does not include all medicines that may interact with Hydroxychloroquine.
How Does It Work?
Hydroxychloroquine works by interfering with parasite digestive vacuoles by increasing the pH and interfering with parasite’s ability to metabolise and utilise erythrocyte Hb. The mechanism of action in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus has not been fully elucidated.
Uses
- Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Prophylaxis of malaria
- Acute malaria
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Patient with G6PD deficiency
- Diabetes mellitus
- Haematological and gastrointestinal disorders
- Alcoholism
- Porphyria
- Psoriasis
- Renal and hepatic impairment
- Children
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Avoid alcohol
Storage Conditions
- Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Hydroxychloroquine that is expired or out of expiry date.