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Hydroxychloroquine (HCQS) has been approved by the FDA for
the treatment of lupus nephritis, discoid lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and
systemic lupus erythematosus. HCQS is classified as an antimalarial drug and
works by blocking the action of certain substances produced by your immune
system called cytokines. This helps to reduce inflammation in your body while
protecting the cells in your kidneys that cleanse your blood of toxins.
1) What is Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)?
HCQ is a medication that has been used to treat the symptoms
of lupus and other autoimmune diseases. HCQ belongs to the group of medications
known as antimalarial drugs. HCQ can be used to prevent or treat malaria.
However, it is not as effective as chloroquine in this setting. The side effects
associated with HCQ are similar to those of chloroquine and include nausea,
vomiting, headache, and vision problems such as blurred vision and sensitivity
to light.
2) How does it work?
COVID-19 Treatment: Is Hydroxychloroquine Effective?
The COVID-19 virus is a non-enveloped, single stranded RNA
virus with a linear genome. It is transmitted via body fluids such as blood and
saliva, and it has been found to affect many parts of the central nervous
system including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.
3) Clinical studies on HCQ
The medication HCQ is an antimalarial drug that has been
shown to have some efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus,
with a decrease in fatigue, joint pain, and other symptoms. The side effects of
HCQ may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and headache. There are
many potential drug interactions with this medication as well as other
medications used for the treatment of lupus. Some of these interactions can be
life threatening and should be discussed with your physician before starting
this or any other medication.
4) side effects
Common side effects of HCQS treatment include: headache,
dizziness, blurred vision, stomach pain, and skin rash. In rare cases more
serious side effects can occur including liver injury, seizures, and other
neurological problems. Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended for use in
pregnant women or children under the age of 16. It should be used with caution
in people with kidney disease, thyroid disease, heart disease, or diabetes. It
is unclear how hydroxychloroquine may affect breastfeeding and so breastfeeding
while on HCQS should be done cautiously. The risk of side effects depends on
the amount of medicine taken per day so it is important to follow the dosage
instructions carefully when taking this medication. Side effects are more
likely to occur if you take a higher dose than prescribed without consulting
your doctor first.
5) Drug Interactions
There is no known drug interaction between HCQS and any
other drugs. Hydroxychloroquine also has a low risk for adverse interactions.
The following drugs are not expected to affect the
metabolism of HCQS, meaning that they do not increase or decrease the amount of
Hydroxychloroquine in your blood: amiodarone, cimetidine, clopidogrel,
diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lansoprazole, nicardipine and verapamil.
The following drugs may decrease the amount of
Hydroxychloroquine in your blood: fluvoxamine and phenytoin. However, this
decrease is often less than 10%.
