Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Plaquenil

Descriptions


Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat malaria. It is also used to prevent malaria infection in areas or regions where there is no known medicine (eg, chloroquine) resistance.

Using this medicine alone or with other medicines (eg, azithromycin) may increase your risk of heart rhythm problems (eg, QT prolongation, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia). Do not take any medicine that contains hydroxychloroquine unless prescribed by your doctor.

Hydroxychloroquine belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It works by preventing or treating malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria.

Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). It is also used to treat acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

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Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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