Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine): Can it treat coronavirus? Side effects

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is a prescription medicine used to treat lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. With coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak all over world, it has started to be used in treatment of the coronavirus. Plaquenil has currently been used experimentally in a small number of coronavirus patients. The medicine, which became current agenda thanks to promising studies conducted especially in China and Europe, was started to be used on coronavirus patients in our country; however, its effectiveness has not been fully proven. There are ongoing studies on the effect of the medicine on the coronavirus.

What is Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)?

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Each tablet in the box contains 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine sulphate. Research in China promises hope that medicines with the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine can be effective in the treatment of the coronavirus.

Can hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine treat coronavirus?

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or chloroquine effectiveness in the treatment of coronavirus has not yet been proven and its use has not been approved by the FDA. However, studies are ongoing. In a small-scale laboratory study conducted in China, it was identified that coronavirus patients treated with chloroquine either presented with a milder disease or stayed in the hospital shorter compared to other patients. The study recommends chloroquine treatment to all coronavirus patients.

What is Plaquenil used for?

Plaquenil, which is also used in the treatment of malaria in the USA and Europe, is used in the treatment of the following diseases in our country:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus erythematosus
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children
• Sunlight-related skin problems

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Use of Plaquenil

• Take the medicine with some food or a glass of milk.
• Do not chew or crush the tablet.
• Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. Without consulting your doctor, do not change the dose yourself considering the effect of the drug on you.
• If you have rheumatoid arthritis and cannot benefit for more than 6 months, inform your doctor. It may be necessary to change the medication.
• If you take the medicine for sun-related skin problems, use it only when you are exposed to the sun.
• Children with a weight below of 31 kg cannot use this medicine.

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Dosage of Plaquenil

Malaria dose

• Adults: In acute cases, the starting dose is 800 mg. After this first dose, 3 more doses of 400 mg are taken 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours later. The medicine is started 2 weeks before the exposure to malaria and a dose of 400 mg is taken once a week to prevent malaria.
• Children (0-17 years): In acute cases, the starting dose is 13 mg / kg (maximum dose: 800 mg). After the first dose, 3 more doses of 6.5 mg/kg are taken 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours later.

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Lupus erythematosus dose

• Adults: Daily doses of 200 mg – 400 mg can be taken either as a single dose or BID by dividing the dose into two.

There is no dose defined for children under 18 years old.

Rheumatoid arthritis dose

• Adults: The starting dose of 400 mg – 600 mg/d can be taken as either single or BID by dividing the dose into two. As a maintenance dose, a single daily dose of 200 mg or a total daily dose of 400 mg taken by dividing into two is recommended. It can cause eye problems if taken more than 600 mg/d.

Dosage for skin problems and for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children

• Adults: 200-400 mg (1-2 tablets) daily.
• Children (0-17 years): 200 mg (1 tablet) daily.

Dose of Plaquenil in the coronavirus treatment

• 400 mg on the first day, followed by 400 mg daily for 5 days
• 400 mg on the first day, then continue with 200 mg for 4 days
• 600 mg on the first day, then 400 mg for 2-5 days.

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Drug interactions of Plaquenil

Drugs that may interact with Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine):

• Digoxin (cardiac medication): May cause an increase in the level of digoxin in your body.
• Insulin and other diabetes medications: (chlorpropamide, glipizide, glimepiride, repaglinide, etc.) Taking Plaquenil with these drugs causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Medicines affecting the cardiac rhythm (amiodarone, chlorpromazine, clarithromycin): May cause dangerous cardiac rhythm disturbance.
• Some malaria medicines (mefloquine, halofantrine): May increase the risk of seizures.
• Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Some antibiotics (gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin)
• Stomach ulcer medicine (cimetidine)
• Myastenia gravis medicines (Neostigmine and pyridostigmine)
• Immunosuppressants (methotrexate, cyclosporine)

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Forms and types of Plaquenil

Plaquenil is only available in tablet form of 200 mg on the market.

Generic medicines to Plaquenil

• Quineprox: 200 mg oral tablet

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Who should not take Plaquenil?

• Allergy to the active ingredient of the drug, hydroxychloroquine sulphate or one of the compounds,
• Any eye diseases (affecting the retina or inside the eye) or change in the colour of the eye,
• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant,
• Children with a body weight below of 31 kg.

In which situations is Plaquenil inconvenient?

• Liver or renal problems,
• Alcoholism,
• Heart disease,
• Stomach or intestinal problems,
• Problems with blood values,
• Nervous system or brain problems,
• Allergy to quinine,
• Psoriasis and porphyria,
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Use of Plaquenil during breastfeeding and pregnancy

Furthermore, the medicine may pass into breast milk at a small amount. However, its effects on the baby are not known well. Therefore, the mother and doctor should make a decision together by considering pros and cons.

Side effects of Plaquenil

Common side effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Cramps
• Vomiting
• Skin rashes and itching
• Loss of appetite
• Mood changes (such as uncontrolled laughter or crying)

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Serious side effects

• Unresolved vision changes or blurred vision
• Heart failure and problems with your cardiac rhythm (may be fatal)
• Tinnitus or hearing loss
• Mild or severe bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways)
• Angioedema (rapid swelling of the skin)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Sore throat
• Hypoglycemia
• Weakness in muscles
• Hair loss or changes in hair colour
• Some negative mental effects, such as suicidal ideation.

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) prescription

For more information about Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) tablet, you can find its prescription and prospectus via the link: >>>