What is Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate ?

Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate is an antimalarial drug. It is available in the market only in tablet form. It is available in different strengths of 100mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg.

Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate is mainly used to cure malaria. Malaria is a type of fever that occurs due to cold. Its main cause is a female Anopheles mosquito whose bite causes it. If the patient is given Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablet at that time, then the patient gets good results.

Apart from this, this drug is prescribed by the doctor in a disease called rheumtoid arthritis.
Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablet is also used for the treatment of Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder in which the person’s immune system becomes hyperactive and starts damaging its own tissue.

Before taking Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate

You should not use Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate if you are allergic to Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine.

Using Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate for a long time or in high doses can damage your retina. The risk is higher in people who already have eye problems or kidney disease.

To make sure Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any conditions such as: diabetes, allergy to quinine, psoriasis, stomach disorder, heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, liver or kidney disease, retinal damage caused by antimalarial medication, porphyria.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Pregnant women are more likely to get severe illness from malaria. Having malaria during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature labor, miscarriage, and having a low birth weight baby.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It may be unsafe to breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate ?

You should use Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate exactly as directed by your doctor. Read and follow all directions on your prescription label carefully.

Take Hydroxychloroquine Tablet with a meal or a glass of milk.

Take the Hydroxychloroquine tablet without breaking or crushing it.

Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate Tablet is usually taken daily to treat lupus or arthritis.

You should keep using this medicine for as long as it is prescribed, even if your symptoms soon clear up.

Tell your doctor right away if you have been exposed to malaria or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness.

Tell your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during treatment for malaria.

What happens if I forget a dose ?

If you miss a dose, contact your doctor and take the medicine further as directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose ?

If you overdose of Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate , get emergency medical help right away or call your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include seizures, slow heart rate, drowsiness, weak pulse, fainting, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, vision changes, sudden dizziness.

What should I avoid ?

Do not drive until you know how this medicine will affect you. This medicine may impair your reactions and cause blurred vision.

Side effects of Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate

Seek emergency help or contact your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of an allergy to Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate such as: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or throat, fever, sore throat, skin pain, burning eyes.

Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate can have serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble hearing
• Yellowing of your eyes
• Unusual mood changes
• A seizure
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Muscle weakness
• Low blood sugar- irritability, dizziness, hunger, headache, sweating, fast heart rate, feeling anxious
• Low blood cell counts- fatigue, fever, sore throat, mouth sores, chills, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, dizziness, cold hands and feet, or difficulty breathing.

Using Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate in large amounts or for a long time can damage the retina of your eye. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Changes in color vision
• Distorted vision
• Blurred vision, trouble focusing
• Difficulty reading
• Seeing flashes or streaks of light
• Increased sensitivity to light

Common side effects of Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate include:

• Hair loss
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Skin rash
• Feeling nervous or irritable
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite

This is not a complete list of side effects. Contact your doctor about side effects.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:

800 mg salt (620 mg base) orally as an initial dose, followed by 400 mg salt (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours after the initial dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

200 to 400 mg salt (155 to 310 mg base)/day orally divided in 1 or 2 doses.

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Initial dose: 400 to 600 mg salt (310 to 465 mg base)/day orally divided in 1 or 2 doses

Maintenance dose: 200 to 400 mg salt (155 to 310 mg base)/day orally divided in 1 or 2 doses

Maximum dose: 600 mg salt (465 mg base)/day or 6.5 mg/kg salt (5 mg/kg base)/day, whichever is lower