Plaquenil, Sovuna
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate
Prevents and treats malaria. Also treats autoimmune inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and discoid lupus.
Antimalarial, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
Tablet
By mouth
Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent and treat malaria as well as relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic discoid lupus.
Tablet
100 mg
200 mg
300 mg
400 mg
For the prevention of malaria in adults: 400 mg taken once per week on the same day of the week starting two weeks before traveling to a malaria-endemic area and ending four weeks after leaving the area
For malaria in adults: 800 mg initial dose, 400 mg at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours
For rheumatoid arthritis in adults: 400–600 mg initial dose; 200–400 mg daily
For lupus in adults: 200–400 mg daily
Children weighing more than 68 pounds can take hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat malaria. They will follow the same dosing schedule as adults, but the doses will be based on body weight.
Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate
100mg tablet
Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate
200mg tablet
Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate
300mg tablet
Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate
400mg tablet
Take this medicine as directed.
If used for malaria prevention or treatment, take all of the medicine in your prescription even if you feel fine.
Take the tablets with food or milk to prevent stomach problems.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or divide the tablet.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature.
If you take one dose a week, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then return to your regular dosing schedule.
If you are taking hydroxychloroquine to treat an active malaria infection and you miss a dose, call the prescriber or other healthcare professional for advice.
If you take one or more doses daily, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take your medicine and skip the missed dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to hydroxychloroquine or related antimalarial drugs (such as chloroquine, primaquine, or mefloquine).
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Your doctor may do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Hydroxychloroquine can be toxic to the heart, causing potentially fatal heart problems and changes in heart rhythm. Before taking hydroxychloroquine, tell your doctor if you have:
A history of heart disease
A history of heart rhythm problems
A type of heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation
Low potassium or low magnesium
Hydroxychloroquine can be toxic to the eye’s retinas, causing irreversible vision changes. Long-term or high-dose treatment raises the risk of retinal damage. Before taking hydroxychloroquine, tell the doctor if you:
Have macular degeneration or other eye problems
Have kidney disease
Are taking the breast cancer drug tamoxifen
Also tell your doctor if you have:
Liver disease
Diabetes
Stomach or bowel problems
Nerve problems
Blood disorders
Psoriasis
This medicine may cause other problems such as:
Muscle and nerve problems
Kidney damage
Changes in mood or behavior
Thoughts of suicide
Low blood sugar levels
Worsening of psoriasis
Serious skin reactions
Tell the doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury.
To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking hydroxychloroquine.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Avoid using the stomach acid reducer Tagamet (cimetidine) when taking hydroxychloroquine.
Take antacids or kaolin at least 4 hours before or after taking this medicine.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Some medicines can affect how hydroxychloroquine works or may increase the risk of side effects. These include:
Drugs that increase the risk of seizures
Drugs that affect the heart’s rhythm (QT prolongation)
The immune suppressants methotrexate and cyclosporine
The antibiotic ampicillin
The heart failure drug digoxin
The breast cancer drug tamoxifen
Some medications don’t work as well as they should when used with hydroxychloroquine, especially insulin, diabetes medications, and anticonvulsants.
Find out more about hydroxychloroquine interactions to avoid here.
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Vision changes such as blurred vision, hazy vision, distorted vision, blind spots, color changes, light sensitivity
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
Unusual changes in mood or behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others
Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, abnormal heartbeats, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, swelling
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
Increased hunger, headache, confusion, shaking, trembling, sweating
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Infections
Seizures
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Find more detailed information about Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) side effects here.
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Plaquenil hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet prescribing information, NIH Nation Library of Medicine
Sovuna hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet prescribing information, NIH Nation Library of Medicine
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