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Overview

Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet

Manufacturer :  Sanofi-Aventis
Medicine Composition :  Hydroxychloroquine
Prescription vs OTC : Prescription by Doctor required

About Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet

Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet is primarily used to treat acute attack of malaria. It belongs to the class of drugs called antimalarials. It is also prescribed to treat those patients of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, whose symptoms have not improved with the other treatments.

This medication is an alternative to chloroquine for the prophylaxis and treatment of chloroquine sensitive malaria. Recent development and the ongoing research have concluded that this drug can be used positively against COVID-19 (this is a new strain of Coronavirus that has been identified for the very first time in Wuhan, 2019).

Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet comes in an oral tablet form, and should be taken by mouth. As the dose of this medicine depends on the weight of the patients, thus it may vary from individual to individual. This medicine can be taken along with a glass of milk or after a meal to decrease the nausea feeling.

One must inform their doctor if you have:

  • Liver disease
  • Psoriasis
  • Dermatitis
  • Alcoholism
  • G-6-PD deficiency
  • Porphyria
  • Other blood related disorders

As this medicine could be specifically sensitive to children (overdose). Thus it must be kept out of reach from children. If this medication is prescribed for a long period of time, your doctor will recommend you for frequent eye examinations. As this medication can cause serious vision related problems.

Symptoms of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet overdose include headache, drowsiness, visual changes, cardiovascular collapse, and seizures followed by respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Treatment is symptomatic; activated charcoal will bind the drug following GI decontamination; urinary alkalinization will enhance renal elimination.

It is important to complete full course of therapy which may take up to 6 months for full effect. May be taken with meals to decrease GI upset and bitter aftertaste. Avoid alcohol.

You should have regular ophthalmic exams (every 4-6 months) if using this medication over extended periods. You may experience skin discoloration (blue/black), hair bleaching, or skin rash. f you have psoriasis, you may experience exacerbation.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the uses of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the contraindications of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet ?

    • Allergy

    • Liver Dysfunction

    • Impaired Gastrointestinal Function

    • Neurological Disorder

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the side effects of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Key highlights of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet

    • How long is the duration of effect?

      The action of this medication lasts for about 537 hours (22.4 days).

    • What is the onset of action?

      The effect of this medication is observed within 3-4 hours after its administration.

    • Are there any pregnancy warnings?

      This medication must be avoided during pregnancy. As high doses and prolonged duration of this medication can interfere with vision, hearing and balance of the fetus. This medication is also associated with neurological disturbances.

    • Is it habit forming?

      Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

    • Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

      It has been reported that this medication has been found to enter breast milk of the mother taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet. But limited data is available regarding the safety in the breastfed infants during Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet long-term treatment. The prescriber should assess the potential risks and benefits of use during breastfeeding, according to the indication and duration of treatment.

    • Is It safe with alcohol?

      If you are consuming too much alcohol during the medication period, then Combination of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet and alcohol can have severe side effects on liver.

    • Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

      You may experience dizziness, headache, nervousness, or lightheadedness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known).

    • Does this affect kidney function?

      Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

    • Does this affect liver function?

      Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; a reduction in dosage may be necessary.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the dosage instructions?

    • Are there any missed dose instructions?

      If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

    • Are there any overdose instructions?

      Consult your doctor in case of overdose.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Where is the Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet approved?

    • India

    • United States

    • Australia

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    How does this medication work?

    It interferes with digestive vacuole function within sensitive malarial parasites by increasing the pH and interfering with lysosomal degradation of hemoglobin; inhibits locomotion of neutrophils and chemotaxis of eosinophils; impairs complement-dependent antigen-antibody reactions

      Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

      What are the interactions of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet ?

      Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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      • Interaction with Alcohol

        The drug is not recommended with alcohol as it can lead to complications, you should try and keep the amount of intake of alcohol to a minimum as it may interfere with the working of the drug.

      • Interaction with Medicine

        This medication interacts with Agalsidase, Aminoglycoside antibiotics, Antacids, Antidiabetic drugs, Antiepileptic drugs, Cimetidine, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Insulin, Mefloquine, Neostigmina, Praziquantel, Pyridostigmine, Tamoxifen and various other medicine falling in the same category. One must inform their physician at the time of prescription writing to avoid serious adverse effects.

      • Interaction with Disease

        Use with caution in patients with hepatic disease, G-6-PD deficiency, psoriasis, and porphyria; long-term use in children is not recommended; perform baseline and periodic (6 months) ophthalmologic examinations; test periodically for muscle weakness.
      • Interaction with Food

        Consumption of grapefruit or its juice should be avoided while taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet.

      FAQs about Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet

      • Ques : What was Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet originally used for?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet is prescribed for the treatment of malaria and even for the prophylaxis in the patients sensitive to chloroquine.

      • Ques : What are the common side effects of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : The patient may suffer from stomach upset, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, dizziness, alopecia, pruritus, headache, blurred vision and skin rash after the ingestion of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet.

      • Ques : Is it safe to take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : Yes, it is safe to take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet unless you are allergic to it. But one must not self medicate himself. The medication must be taken only after a physician has prescribed it.

      • Ques : Is Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet a steroid?

        Ans : No, Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet belongs to the class of antimalarial drugs and does not fall under the category of steroid.

      • Ques : How quickly does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet work?

        Ans : It may take 3-4 hrs after the ingestion of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet to produce its action.

      • Ques : Is Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet safe in pregnancy?

        Ans : No, Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet must not be prescribed to a pregnant woman, as it may interfere with the vision, hearing and balance of the fetus if this medication is taken in high doses and prolonged duration.

      • Ques : Does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet affect fertility?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet has not been reported to have any sort of adverse effect over fertility.

      • Ques : What happens if I stop taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : You must not stop taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet and the symptoms of your clinical condition will return if you stop taking it abruptly without consulting your doctor.

      • Ques : Can I drink alcohol with Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : No, Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet is not recommended with alcohol. If taken, It can lead to complications.

      • Ques : Does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet suppress your immune system?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet does possess immunomodulatory effect, which supports its use in treating autoimmune diseases. Relationship between the use of Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet and its effect is yet to be declared.

      • Ques : Who should not take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : Patients who are allergic to Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet should not take it. Other than this, patients suffering from liver dysfunction, impaired gastrointestinal function, neurological disorder, retinal disorder, hepatic or renal issues must also avoid taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet.

      • Ques : Does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet lower BP?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet do have mild blood pressure lowering effects. Thus the patients must inform the doctor if he is taking antihypertensive medications, just to avoid complications.

      • Ques : Can Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet cause AFIB?

        Ans : Side effects show that patients taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet may suffer from QT prolongation, which may cause AFIB. You must consult a doctor before taking this medication.

      • Ques : Does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet cause heart arrhythmia?

        Ans : Yes, ventricular arrhythmias and torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet.

      • Ques : Can you take Tylenol with Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : It has not been identified till date that tylenol and Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet will produce any interaction if taken together. But this does not employ that no interaction exists. You must consult a doctor before taking this medication.

      • Ques : What painkillers can I take with Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet can be taken with other painkillers like, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol), prednisolone etc.

      • Ques : What time of day should I take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet?

        Ans : What time of day should I take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet? You must follow the prescription. Take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet as the doctor has suggested you, either twice a day or once a day. As the dose and frequency of the medication depends on the severity and clinical condition of the patient.

      • Ques : What does Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet do for rheumatoid arthritis?

        Ans : Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet alleviates the clinical condition of Rheumatoid arthritis patients as this drug is considered as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. It decreases the pain as well as the inflammation. This leads to prevent joint damage and also reduces the risk like long-term disability.

      • Ques : Can you buy Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet over the counter?

        Ans : No, Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet is a prescription drug.

      • Ques : Is it safe to take Plaquenil 200 mg Tablet long term?

        Ans : Yes, it is concluded safe for long-term use if used at the recommended dose.

      References

      • Hydroxychloroquine- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

        https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/hydroxychloroquine

      • Hydroxychloroquine- DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

        https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01611

      • Hydroxychloroquine- MedlinePlus, NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. medlineplus.gov 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

        https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601240.html

      Disclaimer : The information produced here is best of our knowledge and experience and we have tried our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be treated as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.

      Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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      Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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      Reviewed ByDr. Garima SharmaMBBS, Master in Healthcare Administration, Diploma in Occupational HealthGeneral Physician
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