TM Owner Sanofi
Plaquenil 200mg Tablet
Global Shipping : Reliable Global Distribution Network
Express Delivery : Priority Shipping for Every Order
Secure Payments : Trusted Payment Protection System
Disclaimer
Secure Handling
24/7 Worldwide Support
Global Access
Worldwide Access to Health
Cold-Chain Expert
Excellence in Cold-Chain
Trusted Supply
Certified Medical Supply
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Plaquenil 200 mg tablets contain hydroxychloroquine sulfate, a 4-aminoquinoline medicine originally developed against malaria that is now used mainly for its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.
- It is approved to treat and prevent malaria caused by susceptible Plasmodium species (in areas without chloroquine resistance), and to treat chronic discoid lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus, and acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
- In lupus and rheumatoid arthritis it is usually one part of a longer-term treatment plan and can take weeks to months to show its full effect.
- Dosing and duration depend on the condition being treated and body weight; for malaria prevention it is started before travel and continued for a set period afterwards.
- It is taken by mouth, usually with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
- Plaquenil is also sold and used outside the US, including in France, under the same or closely related brand names.
Side Effects
- Common effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and loss of appetite, along with headache, dizziness, and skin rash or itching; some people notice increased skin pigmentation or hair loss with long-term use.
- Hydroxychloroquine can cause irreversible retinal damage with prolonged use, particularly at higher doses or over many years, so regular eye examinations are essential to catch early changes before vision is affected — report any blurred vision, difficulty reading, or blind spots without delay.
- Rare but serious effects include life-threatening heart rhythm problems and a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), severe low blood sugar with confusion or loss of consciousness, low blood cell counts, and mood or behaviour changes including suicidal thoughts.
- Muscle weakness affecting the arms, legs or breathing muscles can occur with long-term use and needs medical assessment.
- Seek urgent care for chest pain, palpitations, fainting, severe dizziness, or sudden vision changes.
Precautions & Warnings
- Plaquenil is contraindicated in anyone with known hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline compounds.
- Baseline and periodic eye examinations, including visual field and retinal imaging tests, are recommended throughout treatment because of the risk of irreversible retinopathy, which is more likely with higher doses, longer treatment duration, kidney impairment, and pre-existing eye or retinal disease.
- Plaquenil can prolong the QT interval and should be avoided or used with caution together with other QT-prolonging medicines, in people with existing heart rhythm problems, or with electrolyte imbalances; cardiomyopathy has also been reported and requires prompt evaluation of any new heart failure symptoms.
- It can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening low blood sugar, including in people without diabetes, so glucose levels should be monitored, especially if other blood-sugar-lowering medicines are used.
- Long-term treatment requires periodic blood counts and muscle strength checks.
- It should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed, and the prescriber should be told about any personal or family history of mental health conditions before starting.
Avoid Interactions
- Plaquenil should not be combined with other medicines known to prolong the QT interval, such as certain antiarrhythmics, some antipsychotics and antidepressants, and specific antibiotics, because of an increased risk of dangerous heart rhythm disturbances.
- It increases blood levels of digoxin, so digoxin doses and levels may need adjusting, and it can raise cyclosporin levels.
- Because it can strengthen the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin and other antidiabetic medicines, doses of those medicines may need to be reduced, and blood sugar should be checked more often when starting or stopping Plaquenil.
- It may also reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, including certain travel vaccines.
- Cimetidine can increase hydroxychloroquine levels, and rifampicin can reduce them.
- Antacids and kaolin should be taken at least four hours apart from Plaquenil, as they can reduce its absorption.
- Always tell the prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine, herbal product and supplement being taken.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) treats and prevents malaria and is also used for chronic discoid lupus, systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. In lupus and arthritis, it works gradually and may take weeks to months to reach its full effect.
Plaquenil tablets are taken by mouth, usually with food or milk to reduce stomach upset. The dose and length of treatment depend on the condition being treated — short courses for malaria prevention, longer-term daily dosing for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Nausea, stomach cramps, headache and rash are common with Plaquenil. Long-term use can cause irreversible eye damage, so regular eye exams are needed — report blurred vision or blind spots at once. Rarely, it affects heart rhythm and blood sugar seriously.
Avoid other QT-prolonging medicines, since combining them with Plaquenil raises the risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems. Take antacids at least 4 hours apart from Plaquenil, as they reduce absorption. Tell your doctor about digoxin, cyclosporin or diabetes medicines you use.
Yes. Plaquenil can cause irreversible retinal damage with long-term use, so you need a baseline eye exam before starting and regular retinal checks afterward, especially with higher doses, longer treatment, or kidney problems. Report any vision changes to your eye doctor right away.
Plaquenil is used in children mainly for malaria treatment and prevention, dosed by body weight; use for lupus or arthritis in children should be guided by a specialist. Long-term paediatric use still needs the same regular eye and blood monitoring as in adults.
Trusted & Reliable – Your Partner in Global Distribution.
We provide comprehensive lines of pharmaceutical products to support all your healthcare distribution needs.
