Hydroxychloroquine - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Hydroxychloroquine is a drug to prevent and treat malaria. This drug is also used in the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Hydroxychloroquine works by killing the parasite that causes malaria. In addition, this drug also has an anti-inflammatory effect and can suppress the immune system response so that it can relieve the symptoms of lupus rheumatoid arthritis.

The effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 is still uncertain. However, based on research results, hydroxychloroquine cannot accelerate the healing of COVID-19 and may increase the risk of heart rhythm disturbances.

Trademarkhydroxychloroquine: Aluquine, Esele, Farneltik, Hydroxin, Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, Hyloquin, Kalquine, Sanloquin

What is Hydroxychloroquine

Warnings Before Taking Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Below are some things you need to pay attention to before using hydroxychloroquine:

• Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Hydroxychloroquine should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, diabetes, visual impairment, hearing loss, kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, psoriasis, seizures, or porphyria.
• Tell your doctor if you are or have ever suffered from alcoholism, potassium deficiency, or lack of magnesium in the blood.
• Tell your doctor if you or a family member has heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder, such as QT prolongation.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor that you are taking hydroxychloroquinone if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking hydroxychloroquine, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking hydroxychloroquine, as this can increase the risk of side effects or liver damage.
• Limit activity in direct sunlight while on treatment with hydroxychloroquine, as this medication can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction, overdose, or serious side effects after taking hydroxychloroquine.

Dosage and Instructions for Use of Hydroxychloroquine

The dose given by the doctor may vary, depending on the intended use of the drug, the patient's age, and the patient's weight. In general, the dosage of hydroxychloroquine is as follows:

Purpose: Prevent malaria

Mature

• Initial dose of 400 mg, once weekly, given 2 weeks before going to an endemic area. Consumption of the drug is continued for up to 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.
• An alternative dose of 800 mg, divided into 2 doses, given 6 days before departure. Consumption of the drug is continued at a dose of 400 mg, once a week, for up to 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.

Children

• The initial dose is 6.5 mg/kg, once a week, given 2 weeks before going to an endemic area. Consumption of the drug is continued for up to 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.
• An alternative dose of 13 mg/kgBW, divided into 2 doses, is given 6 days before departure. Consumption of the drug is continued at a dose of 6.5 mg, once a week, for up to 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.

Purpose: Treating malaria

Mature

• Initial dose 800 mg. Continued dose 400 mg after 6–8 hours.
• Alternative dose 800 mg, 1 time drink.

Children

• Initial dose of 13 mg/kgBW, followed by a dose of 6.5 mg/kgBW after 6, 24, and 48 hours.

Purpose: Treating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

Mature

• The initial dose is 400 mg per day, divided into 1-2 consumptions.
• The maintenance dose is 200–400 mg per day, depending on the patient's response to the drug.
• The maximum dose is 6.5 mg/kg body weight per day or 400 mg per day.

Children

• The dose for children is 6.5 mg/kg body weight per day or 400 mg per day.

How to Take Hydroxychloroquine Correctly

Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the medicine package before taking hydroxychloroquine. Do not increase or decrease the dose without the doctor's permission.

Swallow the hydroxychloroquine tablet whole. Do not split, bite, or crush the medicine. Take this medicine after meals.

If you are taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent malaria, see your doctor if you develop a fever within 2 months of leaving an endemic area.

If you are taking kaolin or antacids, allow 4 hours apart from taking hydroxychloroquine. If you are taking ampicillin, give it 2 hours apart.

Try to eat hydroxychloroquine at the same time every day. If you forget to take your medicine, take the medicine immediately if the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, skip the dose and do not double the next dose.

During treatment with hydroxychloroquine, your doctor may ask you to have regular blood, liver, and muscle function tests to monitor your response to therapy and side effects.

Store hydroxychloroquine in a closed place in a cool, dry room. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and keep the medicine out of reach of children

Hydroxychloroquine Interactions with Other Drugs

There are several drug interactions that can occur if hydroxychloroquine is taken together with certain drugs, including:

• Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances when used with amiodarone, cisapride, chloroquine, ceritinib, fingolimod, fluconazole, disopyramide, quinidine, mefloquine, or sotalol
• Decreased effectiveness of remdesivir
• Increased risk of agranulocytosis with clozapine
• Decreased absorption of hydroxychloroquine when taken with antacids
• Increased risk of developing hypoglycemia when used with blood sugar-lowering drugs or insulin
• Increased risk of seizures when used with tramadol
• Increased levels of digoxin in the blood

Side Effects and Dangers of Hydroxychloroquine

There are several side effects that can occur after taking hydroxychloroquine, including:

• Headache or dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Rash on the skin

Call your doctor if the above side effects do not improve. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or serious side effects, such as:

• Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, loss of part of the visual field, or flashes of light when viewing
• Hearing loss, such as decreased ability to hear or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Impaired liver function that can be characterized by symptoms, such as jaundice, severe abdominal pain, or dark urine
• Very severe dizziness, fainting, seizures, or loss of consciousness
• Mental and mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation
• Sensitive to light
• Body bruises easily
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Muscles feel weak
• Heart rate feels slow, fast, or irregular
• Hair loss or lighter color than before