GENERIC NAME: HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE - ORAL (hi-DROX-ee-KLOR-oh-kwin)

BRAND NAME(S): Plaquenil

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus; and to treat or prevent malaria.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. It is important to continue taking this for the length of time prescribed. Stopping therapy too soon may not treat the infection and can lead to a reinfection. While taking this medication, your doctor may schedule lab tests to check your eyesight, hearing and blood.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, tiredness, weakness or headache may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: vision changes (such as blurred vision, trouble seeing at night or problems focusing clearly), ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, breathing trouble. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: liver disease, blood disorders, psoriasis, allergies (especially drug allergies). This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Since small amounts of this medication are found in breast milk; consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission). Source:MedicineNet Visual Field Test - Read about visual field testing and vision tests (Amsler grid, Humphrey-Zeiss and Goldman perimetry tests) for glaucoma and macular degeneration detection. Source:MedicineNet Lupus - Get information on lupus (SLE) disease treatment, signs, diagnosis, types of symptoms (butterfly, discoid rash), causes (genetic), pregnancy flares and statistics. Source:MedicineNet Read 32 more hydroxychloroquine related articles ... Drug Combos Effective Against Rheumatoid Arthritis