What autoimmune diseases use hydroxychloroquine?

Due to its cost‐effectiveness, safety and efficacy, HCQ is especially used in rheumatic autoimmune disorders (RADs), such as systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Why would a rheumatologist prescribe hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It can decrease the pain and swelling of arthritis. It may prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long-term disability.

Why is hydroxychloroquine used for autoimmune diseases?

Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It regulates the activity of the immune system, which may be overactive in some conditions. Hydroxychloroquine can modify the underlying disease process, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

What is hydroxychloroquine prescribed for?

Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat malaria. It is also used to prevent malaria infection in areas or regions where it is known that other medicines (eg, chloroquine) may not work. Hydroxychloroquine may also be used to treat coronavirus (COVID-19) in certain hospitalized patients.

What is the downside of taking hydroxychloroquine?

Serious side effects

any eye problems, including changes in the colour of your eye or problems with your eyesight such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light or changes to the way you see colour. muscle weakness, cramps, stiffness or spasms, or changes in how your skin feels such as tingling.

Hydroxychloroquine (DMARD) - Pharmacology, mechanism of action, indication, side effects

How long can you stay on hydroxychloroquine?

The study concludes that hydroxychloroquine therapy is safe for long-term use at doses <5 mg/kg/day. Learn about how lupus affects the eyes and hydroxychloroquine.

What foods should I avoid while taking hydroxychloroquine?

You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with hydroxychloroquine. Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels and effects of hydroxychloroquine, which may result in an irregular heart rate or other conduction disturbances.

What is the major toxic effect of hydroxychloroquine?

Its main side effects are gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps), skin rash, headache, dizziness, and ocular toxicity. However, serious side effects including arrhythmia, bronchospasm, angioedema, and seizures can rarely occur.

Is hydroxychloroquine used for inflammation?

Hydroxychloroquine is used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and also to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus (lupus; SLE). A common brand name for hydroxychloroquine is Plaquenil®.

How long does it take for hydroxychloroquine to reduce inflammation?

Hydroxychloroquine starts to work gradually. For inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, it can take 6 to 12 weeks before you notice any benefits. It's important to keep taking hydroxychloroquine. You may not feel any different at first, but it is likely to be working.

Does hydroxychloroquine help lupus fatigue?

Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus. 1997:1117.) In 1956, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved HCQ for symptoms of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, particularly skin inflammation, hair loss, mouth sores, fatigue, and joint pain.

Does hydroxychloroquine always work lupus?

Most people with lupus take hydroxychloroquine throughout their lives. It helps control lupus symptoms with very few side effects. Hydroxychloroquine may also help prevent blood clots and organ damage from lupus. It usually takes 1 to 3 months to start working.

How does hydroxychloroquine make you feel?

Hydroxychloroquine (brand name Plaquenil) side effects range from more common, mild issues such as headache, nausea and stomach pain to serious but rare conditions such as heart problems, muscle weakness and convulsions. Side effect risk may increase with higher doses and long-term treatment.

What symptoms of lupus does hydroxychloroquine treat?

Does hydroxychloroquine stop RA progression?

HCQ therapy was found not only to be beneficial in slowing the disease progression in RA patients but enhanced the effects of methotrexate in treating RA as well.

Are you immunocompromised if you take hydroxychloroquine?

Please note that hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) does NOT suppress your immune system and does not increase any risk for a more serious illness from COVID-19.

Can hydroxychloroquine help fibromyalgia?

Plaquenil isn't currently approved to treat Sjögren's disease, fibromyalgia, or psoriatic arthritis. But Plaquenil may be used off-label for these conditions. “Off-label” means using a drug for certain conditions other than those it's approved to treat.

Is hydroxychloroquine used for arthritis?

HCQ is a DMARD used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.

Does hydroxychloroquine affect the brain?

Hydroxychloroquine can induce adverse effects on the central nervous system, from irritability, nervousness, and emotional changes to true psychoses.

What does hydroxychloroquine do to your eyes?

One of the most significant side effects of the drug is its possibility of causing eye problems resulting in blurred or decreased vision. The most common issue is damage to the retina. It can impair your color vision or damage the retinal cells, particularly in the area right around the central vision.

What is the black box warning for hydroxychloroquine?

Plaquenil has been shown to cause severe hypoglycemia including loss of consciousness that could be life threatening in patients treated with or without antidiabetic medications. — Patients treated with Plaquenil should be warned about the risk of hypoglycemia and the associated clinical signs and symptoms.

Is hydroxychloroquine hard on the liver?

Hydroxychloroquine therapy has not been associated with liver function abnormalities and is an extremely rare cause of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

What vitamins should i not take with hydroxychloroquine?

No interactions were found between hydroxychloroquine and Vitamins.

Can you take vitamin D with hydroxychloroquine?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between hydroxychloroquine and Vitamin D3.

What vitamins should I take with hydroxychloroquine?