Plaquenil
Generic name: Hydroxychloroquine sulphate.
Brand Name: Plaquenil
Indications
Plaquenil is indicated for the suppressive treatment and treatment of acute attacks of malaria.
Dosage and Administration
Plaquenil is available as 200mg tablets for oral administration.
Normal Dosage;
One tablet of 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine sulfate is equivalent to 155 mg base.
In adults, 400 mg (=310 mg base) on exactly the same day of each week. In infants and children, the weekly suppressive dosage is 5 mg, calculated as base, per kg of body weight, but should not exceed the adult dose regardless of weight. If circumstances permit, suppressive therapy should begin two weeks prior to exposure. However, failing this, in adults an initial double (loading) dose of 800 mg (=620 mg base), or in children 10 mg base/kg may be taken in two divided doses, six hours apart. The suppressive therapy should be continued for eight weeks after leaving the endemic area.
Overdose: Overdose symptoms include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, seizures, difficulty in breathing, and unconsciousness.
Drug Description
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is a colorless crystalline solid, soluble in water to at least 20 percent; chemically the drug is 2-[[4-[(7-Chloro-4-quinolyl) amino]pentyl] ethylamino] ethanol sulfate (1:1).
Side Effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Rash
- Blurred vision
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Dislike of light (photophobia)
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Disorders of the front layer of the eye (cornea)
- Worsening of the skin condition psoriasis
- Gastric disturbances including nausea, vomiting, gastric discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea
- Worsening of porphyria
- Disorder of the retina resulting in impairment or loss of vision.
Precautions
- Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you.
- May cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.
- It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not take without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Drug Interactions
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a gold compound such as aurothioglucose (Solganal), auranofin (Ridaura), or gold sodium thiomalate (Aurolate, Myochrysine)
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Folex)