Hydroxychloroquine
The following information is an educational aid only. It is not
intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or
treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before
following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and
effective for you.
(hye droks ee KLOR oh kwin)
Plaquenil®
Apo-Hydroxyquine®; Gen-Hydroxychloroquine; Plaquenil®; Pro-Hydroxyquine
Plaquenil
Aminoquinoline (Antimalarial)
This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to hydroxychloroquine or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have had any changes in vision due to hydroxychloroquine.
• This medicine is used to prevent or treat malaria.
• This medicine is used to treat lupus.
• This medicine is used to relieve pain and inflammation of arthritis.
• Hydroxychloroquine works to injure the parasite and fight the infection.
• It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Take this medicine with food.
• Use prescription as directed, to prevent malaria.
• This medicine should be started before travel to the high risk area. Continue use after leaving the area.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Malaria:
• If you miss a dose before leaving for your trip, call healthcare provider for instructions.
• If you have eye problems, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have porphyria, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have psoriasis, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.
• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may occur.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
Malaria:
• Other protective measures are needed along with this medicine including using screens, bednetting, insect repellent (10% to 35% DEET), and permethrin spray on clothing and nets. Avoid spraying most insect repellents on children. Decrease evening and night-time outdoor activity.
• Pregnant females traveling to malaria infested areas should discuss the risks with a healthcare provider first.
• Anemia.
• Belly pain.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Eye damage can rarely occur.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Have an eye exam every 6 months.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Fever that occurs while in or after return from the malaria area.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Created: 2006-10-13 13:07:06.0
Modified: 2009-08-28 14:27:32.0
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