Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine)

What is Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine)?

Plaquenil is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of Malaria, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Plaquenil is a medication that belongs to Antimalarials, DMARDs, and Immunosuppressants. Plaquenil can be taken alone or in combination with other drugs.

What is Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) used for?

Plaquenil is a medication used to treat or prevent malaria, a condition caused by parasites that enter the body by a mosquito bite. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus can also be suggested Plaquenil. It can help with lupus skin problems and arthritic swelling/pain.

How does Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) work?

Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) belongs to the antimalarial medication class. It works by killing the germs responsible for causing malaria. It may help treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus by lowering immune system activity.

Direction for Use:

How to take Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine)?

This is an oral pill that is taken with or without food. Avoid crushing, chewing, smashing, or opening the capsule; instead, consume it whole. It is normally recommended that you take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. It is often advised to take it once a day with food to avoid digestive issues.

What is the different dosage available for Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine)?

The dosage is offered as an oral tablet of 200mg or 400mg, depending on the line of treatment chosen.

What is the recommended dosage for Plaquenil?

Adult doses for rheumatic illnesses range from 200 mg to 400 mg per day (usually 5 mg/kg, with a maximum daily dose of 400 mg). Higher doses are recommended in some circumstances. If taking more than one tablet, it can be taken as a single daily dose or in two divided doses.

What if you forget to give a dose of Plaquenil?

Get the missed dose as soon as you recall. If the next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.

Precautions for Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine):

What should you know about Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) before you start taking it?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, or if you have any additional allergies. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about specific enzyme problems (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-G6PD), ocular problems, hearing impairment, kidney damage, liver problems, regular alcohol use/abuse, and skin conditions such as psoriasis, blood disorder (porphyria), seizures.

Side-Effects of Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine):

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache are all possible side effects.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects: slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), hearing changes, signs of infection, signs of liver disease, muscle weakness, unwanted/uncontrolled movements (including tongue/face twitching), hair loss, hair/skin color changes, contact your doctor immediately.
This medicine may result in low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, notify your doctor straight away. Your diabetes prescription may need to be adjusted.

Interaction with Plaquenil:

Does this medication interact with other drugs, foods, or alcohol?

Plaquenil may boost the effects of insulin and diabetes medications, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. As a result, insulin and other diabetes medications may need to be reduced in dosage. PLAQUENIL may raise the risk of seizures when combined with other antimalarials known to reduce the seizure threshold (e.g., mefloquine).
Many medicines, in addition to hydroxychloroquine, may have an effect on cardiac rhythm (QT prolongation). Amiodarone, azithromycin, disopyramide, dronedarone, pimozide, and quinidine are a few examples.

Storage:

How should this medication be stored?

Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) should be kept at room temperature (15oC-30oC) and away from light, heat, moisture, and children's access.

Other Important Information:

• Plaquenil can have adverse effects on your heart (Z-Pak). If you have fast or pounding heartbeats and abrupt dizziness, get emergency medical treatment.

• Long-term or high-dose Plaquenil use may result in irreparable retinal damage. If you experience blurred vision, difficulty focusing, distorted vision, blind spots, difficulty reading, changes in your color vision, or increased sensitivity to light, stop taking Plaquenil immediately and contact your doctor.

• This medication may make you more sun-sensitive. Limit your exposure to the sun. Avoid using sunlamps and tanning booths.

• Pregnancy plays an important role while using this medicine. In a pregnant woman, malaria is more likely to cause serious sickness or death. Having malaria during pregnancy may also raise the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, early delivery, and low birth weight.

FAQs:

How long does Hydroxychloroquine take to work?

Most people notice the results six to eight weeks after starting the medicine, but the complete benefit may not be seen for up to three months. It is critical to remain patient and to keep taking your medication.

Should Plaquenil be taken first thing in the morning?

Plaquenil should be taken once daily. However, you should take it at roughly the same time every day. It is also advised that you take your dose with meals or milk. Plaquenil can be taken twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Does Plaquenil interfere with your sleep?

Anti-malarial medications, such as hydroxychloroquine, and Plaquenil can produce sleep problems and weird dreams. Taking such medications earlier in the day may assist to mitigate these side effects.

Is Plaquenil a hazardous medication?

Long-term use of Plaquenil may cause retinal damage, resulting in severe vision loss.

Is It Safe To Buy Plaquenil From an Online Pharmacy?

If you are looking to buy Plaquenil or any prescription drugs from an in the USA then you can order from a safe and accredited International pharmacy like MedsEngage, which contracts with Canadian Pharmacy and pharmacy in India. You require a valid prescription for your prescription drugs.

References:

• https://www.drugs.com/pro/plaquenil.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482364/