Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription drug used to treat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. This eMedTV Web page offers a more in-depth look at hydroxychloroquine and its other uses, effects, dosing guidelines, and potential side effects.
Diarrhea, nightmares, and weight loss are potential side effects of hydroxychloroquine. This eMedTV resource also lists potentially serious hydroxychloroquine side effects that require medical attention, such as hallucinations or easy bleeding.
Hydroxychloroquine is used for treating and preventing malaria. As this eMedTV page explains, it can also be used to treat lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. This article also lists common off-label hydroxychloroquine uses and explains how the drug works.
The hydroxychloroquine dosage for preventing malaria is 400 mg weekly starting two weeks before exposure. This eMedTV Web page also includes hydroxychloroquine dosing guidelines for the treatment of malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Digoxin, cyclosporine, and certain beta blockers may cause drug interactions with hydroxychloroquine. This eMedTV segment explores what may happen if these drugs are taken with hydroxychloroquine and lists other drugs that may cause an interaction.
Children should not take hydroxychloroquine for long-term use. This eMedTV article includes other important precautions and warnings with hydroxychloroquine and offers information on who should not use this drug at all.
