INFO - ACR: Side effects of Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)

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American College of Rheumatology

Patient Education

Last updated: October 2006

" HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (Plaquenil) " :

Excerpt:

Side Effects

Hydroxychloroquine typically is very well tolerated and serious side effects

are rare. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often

improve with time or by taking the medication with food. Less common side

effects include skin rashes or hair changes (bleaching or thinning of hair),

and weakness. In rare cases, hydroxychloroquine has caused visual changes or

loss of vision, but such vision problems are more likely to occur in

individuals taking high doses for many years, or in persons 60 years or

older or with significant kidney disease. The dose used today is lower than

the one originally used to treat arthritis or malaria. At the current

recommended dose, development of visual problems while taking this

medication is extremely unusual.

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/hydroxychloroquine.asp

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