HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE

Notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

• Nausea
• stomach cramps
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• arm/leg/back pain
• fast/irregular heartbeat
• hair loss/color change
• mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression, hallucinations)
• ringing in the ears/hearing loss
• worsening of skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis)

This medication may infrequently cause serious (sometimes permanent) eye problems or muscle damage, especially if you take it for a long time. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

• sensitivity to light
• vision changes (e.g., blurred vision
• seeing light flashes/streaks/halos, missing/blacked-out areas of vision)
• muscle weakness

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain
• severe nausea/vomiting
• easy bleeding/bruising
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat)
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• swelling ankles/feet
• extreme tiredness
• dark urine
• yellowing eyes/skin

This medication may infrequently cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugars regularly. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of low blood sugar, such as:

• sudden sweating
• shaking
• fast heartbeat
• hunger
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• tingling hands/feet

A very serious allergic reaction is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking hydroxychloroquine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other aminoquinolines (e.g., chloroquine); or if you have any other allergies. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain eye problems (retinal or visual field problems from other aminoquinolines such as chloroquine).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• alcohol dependency
• certain blood disorder (porphyria)
• certain genetic problem (G-6-PD deficiency)
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• certain skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis)

This drug may make you dizzy. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase your risk of liver problems while you are taking this drug.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. This medication is not recommended for long-term use in children. If a child accidentally takes this medication, even a small amount can be very harmful (possibly fatal). Be sure to keep this drug out of the reach of children.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. This medication is not recommended for use in treating rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

If you are currently penicillamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting hydroxychloroquine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, drugs that may be harmful to your liver (e.g., high doses of acetaminophen, isoniazid).

Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain acetaminophen. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include:

• fainting
• slow/irregular heartbeat
• extreme excitability
• slow/shallow breathing
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

If used for prolonged periods, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function tests, eye exams, complete blood count) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

When traveling in an area at risk for malaria, use protective clothing, insect repellent, and bed nets. Remain indoors or in well-screened areas when possible. If you are taking this medication to prevent or treat malaria, use it for your current travel or condition only. Do not use it later to prevent or treat another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature up to 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Children are very sensitive to the effects of this medication. It is important to keep this and all medications out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands

Available Brands