Hydroxychloroquine
Also sold as: Plaquenil, HCQS
Prescription neededArthritis and immune medicines
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose for arthritis or lupus: 200 to 400 mg a day with food, not more than 5 mg per kg body weight a day. Regular eye checks are needed with long-term use.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- stomach upset
- diarrhoea
- headache
- skin rash
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- changes in vision
- fainting or very fast or irregular heartbeat
- low blood sugar
- severe skin rash
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Existing eye (retina) disease
- Heart rhythm problems or taking other medicines that affect heart rhythm
- G6PD deficiency, liver or kidney disease (use with caution)
- Keep out of reach of children — overdose is very dangerous
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both prolong the QT interval; together they raise the risk of dangerous heart rhythms.
Moderate2 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Azithromycin
Both can prolong the QT interval; use together with caution.
- Digoxin
Hydroxychloroquine can raise digoxin levels; levels may need checking.