Precautions and warnings

Children are particularly sensitive to 4-aminoquinoline drugs. It is very important to warn patients to keep these medications away from children. An eye exam should be done every 12 months.

Drug Interactions

Cimetidine can raise the amount of hydroxychloroquine in your blood. Kaolin or magnesium trisilicate can lower how much hydroxychloroquine your body absorbs. Do not use digoxin or drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Taking hydroxychloroquine with halofantrine can increase the risk of serious heart rhythm problems. Using it with mefloquine may increase the chance of having seizures.

Contraindications

Retinal or vision problems caused by any 4-aminoquinoline drug, known allergies to 4-aminoquinoline compounds, and long-term use in children.

Mode of actions

Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine related to chloroquine that was originally used to treat malaria. However, it is now mainly used for treating diseases like lupus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis. It works by affecting the digestive system of malaria parasites, raising the pH inside their cells, and stopping them from breaking down hemoglobin properly. This prevents the parasites from functioning normally.

Dosage & Administration

Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablets are for oral administration and are taken with food to avoid stomach upset.
i) Acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis: 400 to 600 mg daily. When good response is obtained (usually 4 to 8 weeks), dose can be reduced to 50%.
ii) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): 400 mg once or twice daily for several weeks or months depending on response of the patients. Maintenance dose is 200 to 400 mg daily.
iii) Malaria: In adults, an initial dose of 800 mg followed by 400 mg in 6-8 hours and 400 mg on each of two consecutive days. For children a total dose representing 25 mg/kg is administered in 3 days as follows. First dose: 10 mg base/kg (but not exceeding a single dose of 620 mg base). Second dose: 5 mg base/kg (but not exceeding a single dose of 310 mg base) 6 hours after first dose. Third dose: 5 mg base/kg 18 hours after second dose. Fourth dose: 5 mg base/kg 24 hours after third dose.
* Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate BP 200 mg equivalent to 155 mg of base.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but during pregnancy, this medicine can be used just when definitely required despite potential risks.

Mothers with a newborn baby who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may seldom create symptoms including drowsiness, muscle stiffness or shakiness, feeding or breathing troubles, constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms of your baby's particularly during their first month, tell the doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price