Microsoft word - hydroxychloroquine 230811.doc

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

Source: http://arthritisnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/hydroxychloroquine230811_002.pdf