Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate

Indications & Dose:

Acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis

• BY MOUTH

Adults. Initial: 400 to 600 mg daily for 4 to 12 wk.

Maintenance: 200 mg to 400 mg daily.

Dermatological conditions caused or aggravated by sunlight (administered on expert advice)

• BY MOUTH

Adult: 200–400mgdaily,dailymaximumdosetobe basedonidealbody-weight;maximum6.5mg/kgper day 

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline compounds (including hydroxychloroquine), long-term therapy in children, retinal or visual changes related to 4aminoquinoline compounds 

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Interaction:

DRUGS
aurothioglucose: Increased risk of blood dyscrasias
digoxin: Increased digoxin concentrations

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

CNS: Abnormal nerve conduction, ataxia, dizziness, emotional lability, headache, irritability, lassitude, nervousness, neuromus-cular sensory abnormalities, nightmares, psychosis, seizures, vertigo
CV: Cardiomyopathy (prolonged high doses)
EENT: Abnormal pigmentation (bullseye appearance) or colored vision, blurred vision, central scotoma with decreased visual acuity, corneal deposits, decreased corneal sensitivity, diplopia, irreversible retinal damage (in lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis), halo vision, lassitude, macular edema or atrophy, nerve-related hearing loss, nystagmus, pericentral or paracentral scotoma, photophobia, retinal fundus changes, tinnitus, visual abnormalities
ENDO: Hypoglycemia
GI: Abdominal cramps, anorexia, diarrhea, elevated liver function test results, fulminant hepatic failure, nausea, vomiting
HEME: Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hemolysis (in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency), leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
MS: Atrophy of proximal skeletal muscle groups, depressed tendon reflexes, muscle weakness
RESP: Bronchospasm
SKIN: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, alopecia, altered mucosal and skin pigmentation, bleaching of hair, dermatitis (including exfoliative dermatitis), non-light-sensitive psoriasis, pruritus, psoriasis exacerbation, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria
Other: Angioedema, porphyria, weight loss. 

Patient And Carer Advice: