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Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline medicine classed as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. It comes as a film-coated tablet in 200 mg and 400 mg strengths. It is used in autoimmune conditions, where it modifies immune activity over time.

Medicine containing Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

200 · 400mg

Hydroxychloroquine tablets contain hydroxychloroquine and are used for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. They come in several strengths and pack sizes. You can compare the price per tablet across options.

FromUS$0.53/ tabletView

Key points

  • Its effect builds slowly, with onset at 4–12 weeks and treatment continuing long term.
  • It can lower blood glucose, so monitoring may be needed.
  • It interacts with digoxin and ciclosporin.

What it is used for

It treats rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, including discoid lupus. It is also an antimalarial, used to prevent and treat acute malaria attacks.

How it works

Hydroxychloroquine interferes with antigen processing and lysosomal activity inside cells. This reduces the inflammatory response, which can lessen the severity of autoimmune flare-ups and protect against damage in chronic disease.

Forms and strengths

The hydroxychloroquine tablet is film-coated and supplied in 200 mg and 400 mg. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

Safety

It is not suitable for people with retinal damage or hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline derivatives. Long-term use needs regular eye examinations, as retinopathy is a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention; report blurred vision, floaters or flashes of light. Cardiomyopathy also needs urgent care. Nausea, abdominal discomfort, skin rash and headache are common. Tell your doctor about other medicines, including cimetidine. It is for adults; in pregnancy the benefits should outweigh the risks and a specialist should be consulted, and it passes into breast milk, so caution is needed.

What the sources say

  • MedlinePlus places hydroxychloroquine in the antimalarial class and also describes it as an antirheumatic drug (MedlinePlus).
  • The same source states it is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria in adults and children weighing more than 31 kg (MedlinePlus).
  • MedlinePlus warns of serious and potentially irreversible eye problems, with regular eye exams likely during treatment (MedlinePlus).
  • LiverTox lists retinopathy as a serious side effect and recommends regular ophthalmologic monitoring for long-term therapy (NCBI Bookshelf).

Further reading

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