What precisely is hydroxychloroquine?
This quinoline medication is utilized to avert or treat malaria, which is caused by parasites that infiltrate the body by the bite of a mosquito. Although it is effective against a considerable number of malaria strains, there are some strains it cannot prevent or treat, especially in locations like Africa, South America, and Southern Asia, where malaria is prevalent. Rheumatoid arthritis and discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus are also treated with hydroxychloroquine. Nonetheless, this drug may result in hazardous effects on your heart, especially if you also use specific other medications, including the antibiotic azithromycin (Z-Pak). If you experience rapid or pounding heartbeats or sudden dizziness, it is crucial to seek emergency medical attention, as these could be indications that you are about to lose consciousness. Further, taking this medication for an extended period or in high doses can lead to irreversible retinal damage, which could cause permanent vision problems. Consequently, it’s critical to call your doctor right away if you experience blurred vision, trouble focusing, distorted vision, blind spots, trouble reading, changes in your color vision, or increased sensitivity to light.
Before taking hydroxychloroquine, it’s important to consider whether you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, since long-term or high-dose use of hydroxychloroquine can result in irreversible retina damage, especially in people with pre-existing eye issues, kidney disease, or those who also take tamoxifen. Additionally, if you have heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, diabetes, a stomach disorder, an allergy to quinine, liver or kidney disease, psoriasis, alcoholism, porphyria, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, it’s vital to let your doctor know, so that they can determine if hydroxychloroquine is safe for you. If you’re pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of hydroxychloroquine on your baby. It’s also important to consult your doctor about the risks of traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent, such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.
It’s important to take hydroxychloroquine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s necessary to follow all the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take hydroxychloroquine with a meal or a glass of milk unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Crushing or breaking a hydroxychloroquine tablet is not advisable. Typically, hydroxychloroquine is taken daily to treat lupus or arthritis. To prevent malaria, hydroxychloroquine is usually taken once per week on the same day each week. The medicine should be taken two weeks before entering an area where malaria is prevalent, and the treatment should continue for at least four weeks after leaving the area. To treat malaria, hydroxychloroquine is usually given as one high dose, followed by smaller doses over the next two days. It’s essential to use this medication for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. If you’re exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is prevalent, you must call your doctor as soon as possible. It’s also crucial to use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
In conclusion, while using hydroxychloroquine, it may be necessary to have frequent medical tests and vision exams. Finally, hydroxychloroquine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. It’s important to
