Origin of hydroxychloroquine and its functions!
The origin of hydroxychloroquine and its functions are many, as hydroxychloroquine is a drug originally used to treat malaria , especially in patients who could not tolerate the chloroquine -like compound .
Hydroxychloroquine is a chloroquine derivative that has antimalarial and anti-inflammatory activities and is now most often used as an anti-rheumatologic agent in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Hydroxychloroquine therapy has not been associated with changes in liver function and is an extremely rare cause of clinically apparent acute liver injury. Hydroxychloroquine has also been used as a therapy for porphyria cutanea tarda, where it appears to act by increasing the excretion of porphyrins.
News of the week:
Hydroxychloroquine is available in generic forms and under the brand names of Plaquenil in 200 mg tablets. Also, the usual dose is 400 mg a day in one or two divided doses.
Common side effects include headache, dizziness , gastrointestinal upset, and rash . In addition, retinopathy is a serious side effect of hydroxychloroquine and regular eye monitoring is recommended for patients on long-term therapy.
Origin of hydroxychloroquine:
It is also used for malaria prophylaxis in regions where chloroquine resistance is unlikely. Hydroxychloroquine was developed during World War II as a quinacrine derivative with less severe side effects. Furthermore, hydroxychloroquine received FDA approval on April 18, 1955.
Product information:
Product’s name
Hydroxychloroquine – Generic, Plaquenil®
DRUG CLASS
anti-rheumatic agents
What is hydroxychloroquine used for ?
Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat dermatomyositis, Lyme disease – Arthritis , Malaria, malaria prevention, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and undifferentiated connective tissue disease.
Who shouldn’t use?
Hydroxychloroquine should not be used by people who are hypersensitive to any of the components present in the formula. In addition, with pre-existing retinopathies or who are younger than 6 years of age.
Precautions with hydroxychloroquine?
Useful links:
While hydroxychloroquine can be effective, it has the potential to cause a number of side effects including but not limited to headaches , loss of appetite , nausea, vomiting , skin rash , etc. Also, one of the rarest but most serious side effects is vision loss due to retinal toxicity.