Hydroxychloroquine
About
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to the class of 'anti-inflammatory drugs.' It has various medical uses, including treatment for 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. For diabetes, it works by improving insulin sensitivity and increasing insulin secretion. In rheumatoid arthritis, Hydroxychloroquine acts as a mild immunosuppressant and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agent and inhibits the production of rheumatoid factor. It also decreases the severity of skin lesions in systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus. In malaria, it works by increasing the concentration of a toxic compound in the parasite that leads to its death.
Take this medicine as prescribed by a doctor. Hydroxychloroquine may cause common side effects like blurred vision, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, headache, mood changes, skin rashes, itching, sensitivity to light, and pigmentation disorders. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and may vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Before taking Hydroxychloroquine, please inform your doctor if you are allergic to medicines, liver/kidney/heart diseases, gastrointestinal problems, blood disorders, and brain-related problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine may cause blurred vision; hence do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better. The safety and efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine have not been established in children; please seek medical advice for more information.
Uses of Hydroxychloroquine
Medicinal Benefits
Hydroxychloroquine has diversified medical uses and works by reducing inflammation in people with autoimmune diseases. It helps treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and malaria. For diabetes, it works by improving insulin sensitivity and increasing insulin secretion. In rheumatoid arthritis, Hydroxychloroquine acts as a mild immunosuppressant and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agent and inhibits the production of rheumatoid factor. In malaria, it works by increasing the concentration of a toxic compound in the parasite that leads to its death. Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-thrombotic and anti-platelet agent that helps reduce abnormally elevated cholesterol levels. It also decreases the severity of skin lesions in systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Hydroxychloroquine
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Skin rashes
- Itching
- Sensitivity to light
- Pigmentation disorders
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before using Hydroxychloroquine, inform your doctor if you have recently used any prescription and non-prescription medications. Keep your doctor informed of your medical history before starting Hydroxychloroquine. Please seek medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Hydroxychloroquine. This medicine may cause blurred vision; hence drive or operate machinery only when you are alert and have clear vision. Avoid alcohol consumption while being treated with Hydroxychloroquine. Safety and efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine have not been established in children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Hydroxychloroquine may interact with anti-cancer drugs (tamoxifen), heart-related medicines (digoxin, amiodarone), anti-diabetic drugs (insulin), anti-malarial drugs (halofantrine, mefloquine), antibiotics (moxifloxacin, azithromycin, penicillamine), immunosuppressants (ciclosporin), heartburn medicines (cimetidine), antipsychotics (amisulpride, quetiapine), fits medicines, and anticoagulants.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption while using Hydroxychloroquine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Hydroxychloroquine, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of 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, damaged retina or vision problems, and allergic reactions to medicines.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid 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
cautionHydroxychloroquine 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
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Hydroxychloroquine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Hydroxychloroquine.
Children
cautionSafety and efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine have not been established in children; please seek medical advice for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain your blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
- Notice and manage the early symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels.
- During malarial fever, the patient may experience appetite loss. In such cases, drink glucose water, fresh fruit juices, and coconut water.
- Include high-fibre foods like green leafy vegetables and fruits to aid digestion.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
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 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, is 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 in breaking the 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 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 (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.
