Pronunciation: hye-DROX-ee-KLOR-oh-kwin
Generic Name: Hydroxychloroquine
Brand Name: Plaquenil
Plaquenil is used for:
Treating and suppressing certain types of malaria. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Plaquenil is an aminoquinoline. It is thought to work by killing sensitive malaria parasites by stopping normal metabolism inside the parasite.
Do NOT use Plaquenil if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Plaquenil
- you have vision problems or retinal changes caused by an aminoquinoline medicine
- you are taking quinacrine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Plaquenil:
Some medical conditions may interact with Plaquenil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or blood problems (eg, porphyria)
- if you have psoriasis, stomach or bowel problems, liver or kidney disease, high blood acid levels, or a central nervous system disease
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse
- if you will be having a rabies vaccine
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Plaquenil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Mefloquine because the risk of seizures may be increased
- Quinacrine or medicines that may harm the liver (eg, acetaminophen, methotrexate) because they may increase the risk of Plaquenil's side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about whether any of your medicines may harm the liver.
- Rabies vaccine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Plaquenil.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Plaquenil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Plaquenil:
Use Plaquenil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Plaquenil by mouth with food or a full glass of milk (8 oz/240 mL).
- If possible, preventative measures for malaria should begin 2 weeks before exposure and be continued for 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.
- If you are taking Plaquenil for lupus or arthritis, it may take 4 to 12 weeks for Plaquenil to work.
- If you miss a dose of Plaquenil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Plaquenil.
Important safety information:
- Plaquenil may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Plaquenil with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- If your symptoms do not get better after several months or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
- Plaquenil may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Plaquenil. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Contact your health care provider if you notice any muscle weakness or problems with your vision or hearing. Your knee and ankle reflexes will be tested periodically.
- Caution is advised when using Plaquenil in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Plaquenil should not be used for a long period of time in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- Accidental ingestion of Plaquenil in CHILDREN has been fatal. Keep Plaquenil out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and eye tests, may be performed while you use Plaquenil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Plaquenil while you are pregnant. Plaquenil is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Plaquenil, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Plaquenil:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; loss of appetite; mild headache; nausea; stomach cramps.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; change in color of the skin or inside of the mouth; chest pain; difficulty seeing or reading (words, letters, or parts of objects missing when reading); fever or sore throat; hair loss; hearing loss; mental or mood changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to sunlight; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent nausea or stomach pain); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision problems (eg, blurred vision, trouble focusing); weight loss.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Plaquenil side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; excessive excitability; fainting; headache; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; mood changes; seizures; severe drowsiness or dizziness; slow, shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Plaquenil:
Store Plaquenil at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Plaquenil out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Plaquenil, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Plaquenil is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Plaquenil. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Plaquenil resources
- Plaquenil Side Effects (in more detail)
- Plaquenil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Plaquenil Drug Interactions
- Plaquenil Support Group
- 35 Reviews for Plaquenil - Add your own review/rating
Compare Plaquenil with other medications
- Dermatomyositis
- Lyme Disease, Arthritis
- Malaria
- Malaria Prevention
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease
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