Why is this medication prescribed?

Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent and deal with acute assaults of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE; a chronic inflammatory circumstance of the skin) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; a chronic inflammatory situation of the body) and rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose signs have now not advanced with other remedies. Hydroxychloroquine is in a category of drugs referred to as antimalarials. It works by way of killing the organisms that cause malaria. Hydroxychloroquine may work to deal with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus by lowering the hobby of the immune machine.

How should this remedy be used?

Hydroxychloroquine comes as a pill to take with the aid of mouth. If you're a person taking hydroxychloroquine to save you from malaria, one dose is typically taken once every week on precisely the identical day of each week. You will begin treatment 1 to 2 weeks earlier than you travel to an area in which malaria is commonplace and then stay during your time in the location and for four weeks after you come back. If you are a grownup and taking hydroxychloroquine to deal with malaria, the primary dose is normally taken properly, observed via another dose 6 to eight hours later and then extra doses on each of the next 2 days. For prevention or remedy of malaria in babies and youngsters, the amount of hydroxychloroquine is based on the kid's weight. Your doctor will calculate this amount and tell you how much hydroxychloroquine your child must acquire.

If you're taking hydroxychloroquine to treat lupus erythematosus (DLE or SLE), it is usually taken a few times a day. If you're taking hydroxychloroquine to deal with rheumatoid arthritis, it's also taken once or twice a day.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not now split, chew, or weigh down them.

Hydroxychloroquine 200mg tablets can be fascinated about a glass of milk or a meal to decrease nausea.

Follow the instructions for your prescription label cautiously, and ask your health practitioner or pharmacist to provide an explanation for any component you do not understand. Take hydroxychloroquine precisely as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it extra frequently than prescribed via your health practitioner.

If you're taking hydroxychloroquine for signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, your signs and symptoms need to improve inside 6 months. If your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do now not improve, or in the event that they worsen, prevent taking the drug and call your doctor. Once you and your medical doctor are certain the drug works for you, do no longer prevent taking hydroxychloroquine without speakme for your medical doctor. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will go back in case you forestall taking hydroxychloroquine.

Other makes use of for this medicinal drug

Hydroxychloroquine is used on occasion to deal with porphyria cutanea tarda. Talk to your health practitioner about the possible dangers of the use of this drug in your situation.

This medicinal drug is every so often prescribed for others to make use of; ask your medical doctor or pharmacist for greater statistics.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Hydroxychloroquine may additionally cause facet results. Tell your physician if any of these symptoms are extreme or do no longer leave:

• headache
• dizziness
• lack of urge for food
• nausea
• diarrhea
• belly pain
• vomiting
• rash

If you revel in any of the subsequent symptoms, name your doctor without delay:

• problem reading or seeing (words, letters, or components of items missing)
• sensitivity to light
• blurred imaginative and prescient
• changes in imaginative and prescient
• seeing light flashes or streaks
• trouble hearing
• ringing in ears
• muscle weak spot
• uncommon bleeding or bruising
• bleaching or loss of hair
• temper or mental changes
• abnormal heartbeat
• drowsiness
• convulsions
• decreased focus or loss of recognition
• considering harming or killing yourself