PATIENT INFORMATION ON HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (Brand name: Plaquenil)
This information sheet has been produced
is hydroxychloroquine?
by the Australian Rheumatology Association to help you understand the medicine that
has been prescribed for you. It includes
rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions such as systemic lupus
Hydroxychloroquine is also an antimalarial
medicine used to prevent and treat malaria
and other parasitic infections. It is not used
routinely now for this purpose because of
Please read it carefully and discuss it with
works in inflammatory conditions; however
Important things to remember
immune system. In rheumatoid arthritis, this action helps to reduce inflammation and
thus reduce pain and swelling. It also limits
damage to the joints and helps to prevent
working and to minimise any possible side effects.
Because hydroxychloroquine acts to reduce the damage to the joints, rather than just
relieve the pain, it belongs to the group of
should have your eyes tested regularly to
What benefit can you expect from your treatment?
www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/index.php/a
Hydroxychloroquine does not work straight
symptoms to start to improve. The full effect
Australian Rheumatology Association http://www.rheumatology.org.au Revised 23 August 2011– Next review July 2012
nausea (feeling sick), loss of appetite or
How is hydroxychloroquine
bitter, these problems can often be reduced by taking the tablets with food
tablet form. The usual dose is one tablet
(200mg) once or twice a day. Tablets can be taken altogether, once a day.
Less common or rare possible side effects
The dose may be reduced to a maintenance
Less common side effects include skin rashes and increased sensitivity to the sun.
dose after a few months once a response is
It is a good idea to wear sunscreen and a
It is best taken with food as it has a slightly
cause temporary blurring of vision due to
deposits in the front of the eye (cornea).
This is fully reversible when the medicine is stopped. You should report
rare. These occur mainly in people taking
a high dose for longer than 5 years, or in
those who have liver or kidney problems. Your doctor will advise you
Treatment with hydroxychloroquine may be continued indefinitely as long as it is
Very rare effects include thinning of the hair, ringing in the ears, bleaching of the skin
effective and no serious side effects occur.
and/or hair, and weakness of the leg muscles.
If you stop hydroxychloroquine treatment
for more than a few weeks there is a risk that your condition may worsen. Continue with
What precautions are necessary? Are there any side effects?
discuss your vision and may ask you to have an eye test. This eye test may be
You might experience side effects with your
concerned about possible side effects. A reduction in dose may minimise side effects so that you can continue to take this treatment. Your doctor will advise on any dose changes that are necessary.
Australian Rheumatology Association http://www.rheumatology.org.au Revised 23 August 2011– Next review July 2012
practitioner, rheumatologist and others)
pregnancy if the mother’s condition is
serious and no other effective treatment
How to store hydroxychloroquine
with your rheumatologist before receiving any vaccines.
• Store hydroxychloroquine in a cool, dry
There is no particular reason for you to
hydroxychloroquine. However drinking more than 4 standard drinks on one
occasion, even if infrequently, is strongly discouraged.
Questions? Your doctor’s contact details
If you have any questions or concerns write
If you are taking hydroxychloroquine you
should see your rheumatologist regularly to
make sure the treatment is working and to
The information in this sheet has been obtained from various sources and has been reviewed by the Australian Rheumatology Association. It is
intended as an educational aid and does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medicines
mentioned. This information is not intended as medical advice for individual problems nor for making an individual assessment of the risks and
benefits of taking a particular medicine. It can be reproduced in its entirety but cannot be altered without permission from the ARA.
The NHMRC publication: How to present the evidence for consumers: preparation of consumer publications (2000) was used as a guide in
Australian Rheumatology Association http://www.rheumatology.org.au Revised 23 August 2011– Next review July 2012
Tratamiento farmacológico. PsicofármacosPILAR ALEJANDRA SÁIZ MARTÍNEZ(1); Mª PAZ GARCÍA-PORTILLA GONZÁLEZ(1); SARA MARTÍNEZ BARRONDO(2); Mª TERESA BASCARÁN FERNÁNDEZ(2, 3); BEGOÑA PAREDES (1) Profesor Titular de Psicología Médica. (2) Colaborador de Honor – Dpto. de Medicina - Área de Psiquiatría. (3) Doctorando Área de Psiquiatría. Lugar de Trabajo: Área de Psiquiatría
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PATIENT INFORMATION ON