Plaquenil (Hyroxychloroquine)

Description

Plaquenil is composed largely of hydroxychloroquine sulfate. It is prescribed as an antimalarial medication.

 

Uses

 

Plaquenil is used to treat certain strains of malaria. It is also useful for preventing individuals from contracting the disease in the first place. Malaria is commonly found in tropical regions in South Asia, South America and in Africa.

 

Malaria is caused by parasites invading the body of a host. This disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito.

 

Once the parasites are in the body, they enter the red blood cells. Plaquenil works by inhibiting the actions of these parasites. It prevents the foreign bodies from breaking down the hemoglobin that is found in all red blood cells.

 

Plaquenil is effective against Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and certain strains of Plasmodium falciparum. It does not work against chloroquine resistant forms of malaria, however.

 

Plaquenil can also be used to treat individuals who have been resistant to other forms of treatment for autoimmune diseases. Plaquenil can help ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus.

 

Dosage

 

Plaquenil needs to be taken in very particular quantities. To ensure that you receive all of the benefits of Plaquenil, you have to take the antimalarial drug in the quantity that has been set by a medical expert.

 

Plaquenil is to be taken via the mouth. The medication should be taken either with a meal or at least a glass of milk.

 

To prevent malaria in children, the typical quantity is 5mg per kilogram of body weight. This quantity should be taken on the same day each week.

 

To treat malaria in children, there should be four separate and consecutive quantities given. The first quantity should consist of 10mg per kilo of weight. The second should be given six hours later and consist of 5mg per kilogram of body weight. The third dose should be taken eighteen hours following the previous dose and have 5mg for each kilo.

 

The final dose should be an entire day after the third one and consist of 5mg per kilogram.

 

To avoid malaria in adults, the quantity taken should be equal to 400mg. This should be taken on the same day each week. It is best to start this preventive measure at least two weeks before you can be exposed to the parasite. If this cannot be done, you can take two separate 800mg doses of Plaquenil. The doses should have a six hour interval in between.

 

To treat malaria in adults, you need to take four different quantities. The first is 10mg for every kilo of body weight.

 

The second should be taken six hours after the first dose and consist of 5mg/kg. The third should be taken eighteen hours later and have 5mg/kg. The fourth and final dose should be taken twenty four hours later and have 5mg/kg.

 

Do not take more than a single quantity of Plaquenil at any given time. If you have taken a surplus of Plaquenil, inform the proper medical authorities.

 

Side Effects

 

Sometimes, there are certain unpleasant reactions that manifest when taking Plaquenil. Here are some of the responses:

 

 Blurry vision
 Changes in ability to see
 Tremors
 Weakness of the muscles
 Changes in temperament
 Hearing problems
 Ringing noises in ear
 Irritated throat
 Fever
 Unusual bleeding
 Fatigue

 

Talk to a clinician if you have noticed any of these changes occurring.

 

Contraindications

 

 There is no proof regarding the passing of Plaquenil from a mother to a fetus. Confer with a clinician if you are pregnant and need to take Plaquenil.

 

 It is not known if Plaquenil can be transmitted from mother to A breastfeeding child. Check with a clinician to determine if you should take Plaquenil while nursing.

 

 You should not take Plaquenil if you have previously had an allergic reaction to other antimalarial medication.

 

It is important to tell your clinician if you have any of the following ailments:

 

 Psoriasis
 Abnormalities with red blood cells or haemoglobin
 Liver problems
 Addiction to alcohol
 A deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency

 

Plaquenil should only be used in the short term treatment of children.