Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate to Treat and Prevent Malaria

Working

The exact action mechanism by which hydroxychloroquine prevents or treats malaria is unknown. However, hydroxychloroquine, like chloroquine, may act on the cellular level by inhibiting certain enzymes and interacting with DNA. It has been found that hydroxychloroquine has a potent antiviral effect on infections caused by the strains of viruses that cause respiratory disease. Its antiviral effects are seen when the infected cells are treated with hydroxychloroquine, suggesting it could be used to prevent or treat certain viral infections.

Dose

• You must take hydroxychloroquine tablets orally, with food to prevent a gastric upset, exactly as advised by your doctor.
• Your doctor will advise the dosage and duration of treatment based on your medical condition.
• To prevent or treat malaria, you must take the medicine exactly as recommended because the dosage pattern is different for treating and preventing malaria.
• For rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you must take hydroxychloroquine once or twice daily, or as directed.
• Your doctor may advise you to gradually increase your dose and may taper your dose when your condition improves.
• If you are taking antacids, make sure you take this medicine at least 4 hours before or after taking them.
• Do not stop the treatment without checking with your doctor, especially if you are taking it for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Side Effects

Common hydroxychloroquine side effects, which may or may not occur, include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Mood changes
• Hair loss

If any of these adverse events persist, immediately seek medical attention. Most people who use hydroxychloroquine do not suffer from serious side effects. You must see your doctor right away in case you experience serious side effects such as extreme dizziness, palpitations, irregular heartbeats, allergic reactions, or mood changes.

Precautions

• People allergic to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine should not use this medicine.
• To make sure this antimalarial or anti-rheumatic drug is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have or have had any vision problems, heart disease, arrhythmia, diabetes, stomach disorders, liver or kidney disease, chronic alcoholism or a genetic disorder called G6PD deficiency.
• Also, you must inform your doctor if you are undergoing any treatment with OTC or prescription drugs, herbal supplements, multivitamins, etc.
• It is unclear whether hydroxychloroquine will cause any harm to a fetus. If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant, inform your doctor.
• It is also unclear whether the drug passes into breast milk, so check with your doctor about using the drug during breastfeeding.

Warnings

• Do not overdose with hydroxychloroquine tablets because it may cause irreversible damage to your eyes, leading to vision loss.
• You must take the medicine for the full prescribed duration for malaria even if your symptoms improve in a day or two.
• Hydroxychloroquine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so avoid sun exposure, tanning booths, and lamps and use protective clothing when outdoors.
• This anti-rheumatoid/anti-lupus drug may increase the risk of palpitations in patients who already have heart disease, especially older individuals.
• People with a genetic disorder G6PD-deficiency should strictly stay away from this medicine.
• The drug may make you a bit drowsy so make sure you abstain from performing risky activities.

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