Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is used to treat or prevent malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.
Plaquenil is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Plaquenil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Plaquenil if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine, or if you have a history of vision changes or damage to your retina caused by hydroxychloroquine or similar anti-malaria medications.
Before using Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have psoriasis, porphyria, liver disease, alcoholism, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency.
Call a poison control center at once and then seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Plaquenil can be fatal, especially in children.
Take Plaquenil for the full prescribed length of time for malaria. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.
When treating lupus or arthritis, tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 months of treatment.
While using Plaquenil, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Plaquenil if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine, or if you have a history of vision changes or damage to your retina caused by an anti-malaria medication.
Plaquenil should not be used for long-term treatment in children.
To make sure Plaquenil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
It is not known whether Plaquenil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Malaria is more likely to cause death in a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks of traveling to areas where malaria is common.
It is not known whether hydroxychloroquine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Plaquenil without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Plaquenil?
Take Plaquenil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take Plaquenil with a meal or a glass of milk, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Plaquenil is sometimes given only once per week. Choose the same day each week to take this medication if you are on a weekly dosing schedule.
To prevent malaria: Start taking the medicine 2 weeks before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking Plaquenil regularly during your stay and for at least 8 weeks after you leave the area.
To treat malaria: Your doctor may recommend a single dose of Plaquenil, or a high starting dose followed by a smaller dose during the last 2 days of treatment. Follow your doctor"s instructions.
Take Plaquenil for the full prescribed length of time for malaria. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.
In addition to taking Plaquenil, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.
When treating lupus or arthritis, Plaquenil is usually given daily for several weeks or months. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 months of treatment.
While using Plaquenil, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office.
No medication is 100% effective in treating or preventing all types of malaria. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during your treatment.
Store Plaquenil at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Plaquenil can be fatal, especially in children.
Treatment of a Plaquenil overdose must be started quickly. You may be told to induce vomiting right away (at home, before transport to an emergency room). Ask the poison control center how to induce vomiting in the case of a hydroxychloroquine overdose.
Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, vision changes, slow heart rate, chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, seizure (convulsions), shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.
What should I avoid?
Avoid taking an antacid or Kaopectate (kaolin-pectin) within 4 hours before or after you take Plaquenil. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb Plaquenil.
Plaquenil side effects
Some people taking this medication over long periods of time or at high doses have developed irreversible damage to the retina of the eye. Stop taking Plaquenil and call your doctor at once if you have trouble focusing, if you see light streaks or flashes in your vision, or if you notice any swelling or color changes in your eyes.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Plaquenil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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muscle weakness, twitching, or uncontrolled movement;
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loss of balance or coordination;
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blurred vision, light sensitivity, seeing halos around lights;
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pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
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seizure (convulsions).
Less serious Plaquenil side effects may include:
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headache, ringing in your ears, spinning sensation;
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
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loss of appetite, weight loss;
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mood changes, feeling nervous or irritable;
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skin rash or itching; or
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hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Plaquenil?
Plaquenil can harm your liver. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the liver. You may need dose adjustments or special tests if you have recently used:
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acetaminophen (Tylenol);
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an antibiotic, antifungal medicine, sulfa drug, or tuberculosis medicine;
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birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
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blood pressure medication;
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cancer medications;
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cholesterol-lowering medications such as Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Simcor, Vytorin, Zocor;
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gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections);
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HIV/AIDS medications;
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medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;
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an NSAID such as Advil, Aleve, Arthrotec, Cataflam, Celebrex, Indocin, Motrin, Naprosyn, Treximet, Voltaren; or
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seizure medications.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Plaquenil. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
