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Hydroxychloroquine

  • Before any surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking hydroxychloroquine.
  • You will need regular eye tests whilst taking hydroxychloroquine.
  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored.

About hydroxychloroquine

Type of medicine Antimalarial
Used for Active progressive rheumatoid arthritis
Juvenile arthritis
Systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus
Skin conditions caused or aggravated by sunlight
Also called Plaquenil
Available as Tablets

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition caused by the body's immune system attacking the tissues surrounding joints causing damage and inflammation. Hydroxychloroquine works by reducing this immune reaction and therefore provides relief from pain and inflammation. Hydroxychloroquine can help slow down the progress of rheumatoid arthritis but it will not cure the disease.

Before taking hydroxychloroquine

Before taking hydroxychloroquine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from a stomach ulcer, colitis or any other digestive or bowel conditions.
  • If you suffer from epilepsy or myasthenia gravis.
  • If you suffer from psoriasis.
  • If you have any visual problems or eye disease.
  • If you suffer from glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, porphyria or any blood disorders.
  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

How to take hydroxychloroquine

  • Take hydroxychloroquine exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Take hydroxychloroquine with or immediately after food or a glass of milk.
  • Avoid taking indigestion remedies at the same time as hydroxychloroquine. They should be taken at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after a dose of hydroxychloroquine.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored.
  • You will need regular eye tests while taking hydroxychloroquine.
  • Before having any surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking hydroxychloroquine.

Can hydroxychloroquine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Upset stomach Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. Avoid dairy products. If these symptoms continue speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Headaches, skin rashes or itching If these symptoms continue speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any blurred or disturbed vision, sore throat, high temperature or unusual bruising or bleeding.
Less commonly reported side-effects include changes in hair, skin and nail colour, hair loss, ear problems, muscle weakness, fits or convulsions, dizziness and emotional changes. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store hydroxychloroquine

  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2006 DocID:
616		 DocRef:
dils2240		 Last Updated:
25 Oct 2006		 Date of Next Review:
24 Oct 2008		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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