Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects

...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SIDE EFFECTS; This drug is classified as an anti-malarial medication, and is one of a number of drugs which have been used for many years in the treatment of malaria. It is useful in treating systemic lupus erythematosus as well as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's Syndrome. While hydroxychloroquine has been known for some time to decrease lysosomal pH in antigen presenting cells, its mechanism of action in inflammatory conditions has been recently elucidated and involves blocking the activation of toll-like receptors on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Toll-like receptor 9, which recognizes DNA-containing immune complexes leads to the production of interferon and causes the dendritic cells to mature and present antigen to T cells. Hydroxychloroquine, by decreasing TLR signaling reduces the activation of dendritic cells, thus mitigating the inflammatory process.

Hydroxychloroquine is also widely used in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease, in combination with macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin. It is thought that the hydroxychloroquine raises the pH in cellular vacuoles in which semi-dormant Lyme spirochaetes live, allowing the effect the macrolide to suppress protein synthesis by the spirochaetes.

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache

dizziness

loss of appetite

upset stomach

diarrhea

stomach pain

vomiting

skin rash

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

reading or seeing difficulties

sensitivity to light

blurred distance vision

seeing light flashes or streaks

difficulty hearing

ringing in ears

muscle weakness

bleeding or bruising of the skin

bleaching or loss of hair

mood or mental changes

irregular heartbeat

drowsiness

convulsions

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...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!