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Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is a prescription antimalarial and antirheumatic medicine. Current labeling includes uncomplicated malaria treatment and prophylaxis in areas without chloroquine resistance, rheumatoid arthritis in adults, systemic lupus erythematosus in adults, and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus in adults.
read more about hydroxychloroquine ...Hydroxychloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are not fully known. Its antimalarial activity differs from its actions in autoimmune disease.
Hydroxychloroquine is used for uncomplicated malaria treatment and prevention in adults and eligible pediatric patients where chloroquine resistance is not reported. It also treats rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus in adults. It is not recommended for chloroquine-resistant malaria.
Adult malaria prophylaxis uses 400 mg once weekly, starting two weeks before travel and continuing during exposure and for four weeks afterward. Adult rheumatoid arthritis starts at 400 mg to 600 mg daily and uses 200 mg to 400 mg daily for chronic treatment. Adult systemic or discoid lupus uses 200 mg or 400 mg daily.
Serious concerns include irreversible retinal toxicity, cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, severe skin reactions, blood-cell toxicity, kidney toxicity, low blood glucose, muscle and nerve toxicity, and neuropsychiatric reactions including suicidal behavior. Retinal risk rises with higher daily doses, longer treatment, kidney impairment, tamoxifen use, and preexisting macular disease.
Current labeling includes selected malaria uses, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.
The labeled adult prophylaxis dose is 400 mg once weekly in areas where chloroquine resistance is not reported.
Hydroxychloroquine can cause irreversible retinal damage, and risk increases with cumulative exposure and selected patient factors.
No. Current labeling does not recommend it for treatment or prevention where chloroquine resistance occurs.
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