What is Plaquenil?
Plaquenil, also known as hydroxychloroquine, is a malaria medication used to treat or prevent the disease caused by parasites that enter the body through a mosquito bite. Hydroxychloroquine is not effective against all strains of malaria, nor is it effective in areas where the infection has developed resistance to a similar drug known as chloroquine. Plaquenil is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Plaquenil Uses
It is used in the prevention or treatment of malaria caused by mosquito bites. This drug is also used to treat auto-immune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis). It is a type of medication known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARDs). It can help with lupus skin problems and arthritis swelling/pain.
- To avoid stomach upset, take this medication with food, exactly as directed by your doctor. The duration and dosage of treatment are determined by your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Take this medicine orally, usually once a week on the same day each week, to prevent malaria. This medication should be typically started one to two weeks before entering the malarious area. Continue to take it weekly while you're in the area and for 4 to 8 weeks after you leave, or as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's advice when treating malaria.
- Take this medication orally as directed by your doctor for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, usually once or twice daily. Your dosage might be gradually raised by your doctor. After you've been taking the medication for a while and your condition gets improved, your doctor may instruct you to gradually decrease your dosage until you find the dose that works best for you giving more benefits and causing the fewest side effects.
- If you also take kaolin or antacids such as magnesium or aluminum hydroxide, take it at least 4 hours before or after these medications. These products may lead in binding to hydroxychloroquine, preventing your body from absorbing it completely.
- To get the most out of this medication, take it on a regular basis. If you take it on a daily basis, take it at the same time(s) daily. Take this medicine exactly as directed. Do not discontinue it without first consulting your doctor, especially if you are taking it to treat malaria.
- Inform your doctor if your condition gets worse. If you are taking this for lupus or arthritis, it may take several weeks or months to see improvement. In some cases, hydroxychloroquine may not be effective in preventing malaria. If you have fever or other symptoms of illness, seek medical attention right away (especially while in the malarious area and for 2 months after returning from the area).
Plaquenil Side effects
The most common side effects of Piroxicam are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling ankles/fee
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Mental or mood changes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hearing changes
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Signs of infection
- Fever
- Liver disease
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Yellowing skin
- Muscle weakness
- Hair loss
- Low blood sugar
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Hunger
- Blurred vision
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, or if you have any other allergies. Some inactive ingredients present in this product may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have: a specific enzyme problem (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-G6PD), vision/eye problems, hearing problems, kidney disease, liver disease, regular alcohol use/abuse, skin problems (such as psoriasis), a specific blood disorder (porphyria) and seizures.
- This product may have an effect on your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Check your levels of blood sugar on a regular basis and share the results with your doctor. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, contact your doctor right away. Your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
- Hydroxychloroquine may result in a heart rhythm disorder (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can cause serious fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms such as severe dizziness and fainting that require immediate medical attention.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the drug's side effects, particularly QT prolongation.
- This medication should not be used during pregnancy. Also, this medicine passes through breastmilk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Interactions
- Drug interactions can change the way your medications function or put you at risk for serious complications. Maintain a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications without first consulting your doctor.
- Penicillamine and remdesivir are two drugs that may interact with this one.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Pregabalin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some serious medical emergency.
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take any dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double
Storage
The medicine should not come in direct contact with heat, air, light and may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine might cause some harmful effects or serious side effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Plaquenil vs Otrexup
Plaquenil | Otrexup |
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Malaria and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are treated. | Inflammation and cell replication are reduced. |
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is an effective treatment for autoimmune diseases and malaria with fewer side effects than other DMARDs. | Otrexup (methotrexate) is the first-line treatment for many cancers and arthritis, but it has a long list of side effects. |
Used for treating the following
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Used for treating the following:
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