What is Hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial used in the treatment and prophylaxis of Malaria. Additionally, it is also a DMARD or Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs that indirectly treat rheumatoid conditions by slowing down the disease progression. Since the pandemic, it has come to the limelight to be effective against the SARS-Covid virus.
What are the uses of Hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine is used for –
- Treatment of uncomplicated cases of Malaria
- Treatment for lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and porphyria cutanea tarda
- Sjogren’s syndrome and post-Lyme arthritis as an adjunct therapy
What is the look and contents of Hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine comes as white film-coated tablets with HCQ on one side and 200 on the other. Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is the active ingredient in Hydroxychloroquine. Inactive ingredients include Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate, Hypromellose, Macrogol, Maize starch, and Titanium Dioxide.
How does Hydroxychloroquine work in cases of Malaria?
Hydroxychloroquine works by increasing the pH of the intracellular vacuoles of the parasite cells. This inhibits the polymerization of heme, an important structure of the parasitic cell, and ultimately causes its destruction. The polymerization inhibition also prevents the parasite from proteolysis hemoglobin, thus preventing its normal growth and replication.
How does Hydroxychloroquine work in cases of Rheumatoid?
Rheumatic conditions are inflammatory conditions manifesting as arthritis and erythematosus in different parts of the body. Hydroxychloroquine accumulates in the human cell vacuoles and raises the pH of the cells. This affects the MHC of the cells and inhibits their antigen presentation leading to a reduction in inflammation.
Is Hydroxychloroquine effective against the SARS-Covid virus?
The raised pH of the endosomes in the virus prevents it from fusing with the ACE 2 receptors and entering the cell. In the human body, Hydroxychloroquine inhibits the terminal glycosylation of ACE2 receptors. This affects the ACE 2 receptors from binding with the spike protein and inflammation in the body caused by the viral invasion.
Does Hydroxychloroquine work for cancer patients as well?
In cancer and tumor cases, Hydroxychloroquine alters the acidic environment of the lysosomes through a raised pH mechanism. This helps inhibit autophagy or programmed cell death by not allowing the autophagosomes to fuse with the lysosomes. Being an autophagy inhibitor, it enhances the action of chemo on cells, thus preventing further cancerous growth.
What is the dose of Hydroxychloroquine for Malaria?
For Malaria in adults and children, 800 mg Hydroxychloroquine is prescribed as a starting dose in cases of an acute attack. It is then tapered down to 400 mg with an interval of 6, 24, and 48 hours after the first dose. As a prevention dose, the 400 mg is taken once weekly, 14 days before and four weeks after returning from the Malaria prone area. However, before you order Hydroxychloroquine online, consult your doctor for the prescribed dose as per your existing condition.
What is the dose of Hydroxychloroquine for lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
In adults with Lupus Erythematosus, Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg to 400 mg is advised with a maximum dose not exceeding 400mg. For cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis, 400 -600 mg is administered daily, with the total dose not exceeding 600 mg. This, in due course, is tapered down to 200mg based on your body’s response to the medication.
Does Hydroxychloroquine cause weight gain?
Hydroxychloroquine has not been known to cause weight gain as a side effect. Rather, it is known to cause weight loss.
Where to buy Hydroxychloroquine in Australia?
Being a scheduled medication, you can buy Hydroxychloroquine in Australia online as well as over the counter. However, you will need a physician’s prescription to avail of the medication and its backup doses. It is available as Plaquenil medication in practitioner clinics and registered pharmacies. The generic versions of the medication are available online under different names.
Is Hydroxychloroquine available over the counter in Australia?
Hydroxychloroquine is available over the counter in Australia as a prescription Rx. It is available under the PBS scheme as well at reduced prices. Hydroxychloroquine can also be obtained online. Online ordering Hydroxychloroquine from an authentic site ensures that you get your medication in a quick, easy, and cost-effective manner.
What are the contraindications of Hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine is contraindicated in treating complicated Malaria and Malaria caused by plasmodium species resistant to Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. As it is metabolized by the liver and excreted through the kidneys, it is contraindicated in people with renal and hepatic impairments. It is also contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Are there any Hydroxychloroquine side effects?
Headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, and vomiting are some of the mild side-effects associated with Hydroxychloroquine use. Serious side effects include angioedema (rapid skin swelling), severe hypoglycemia, abnormal mood swings, suicidal thoughts with permanent vision, and hearing loss. Heart failure can also occur as a side effect.
Can you take Hydroxychloroquine and alcohol together?
Hydroxychloroquine and alcohol do not have any drug interactions and can be used within safe limits. But combining them with another DMARD methotrexate can result in liver damage. Additionally, dizziness is a side effect of Hydroxychloroquine; combining it with alcohol can make you sleepy. This can cause problems in driving and in operating heavy machinery.
Can you use Hydroxychloroquine at the same time as antacids?
Antacids used for the treatment of acidity can react adversely if used concomitantly with Hydroxychloroquine. The combined use can lead to delayed metabolism of either medication, causing the effects to linger in the body for a long time. Hydroxychloroquine is best taken 3-4 hours before or after antacid use to avoid these interactions.
Can you use Hydroxychloroquine with Anticoagulants?
Anticoagulants like Dabigatran and Apixaban are oral medications that help in the treatment of blood clots. Using them with Hydroxychloroquine could result in unnatural blood thinning and increase the risk of abnormal bleeding. Apart from these, Hydroxychloroquine should also be avoided with heart medications to avoid the risk of serious complications.
