Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200 mg tablets

What Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is and what it is used for:

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is used for the following:

• To treat rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints).

• To treat systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease of the skin and internal organs).

• To prevent malaria in certain cases.

Do not take Hydroxychloroquine sulfate

• If you’re allergic to Hydroxychloroquine, other similar medicines such as quinolones and quinine, or any other component of this medicine.

• If you have an eye problem that affects the retina (retinopathy). 

Warnings & Precautions:

Talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine including:

• If you have liver or kidney problems.

• If you have stomach problems.

• If you have heart problems.

• If you have eye problems.

• If you have psoriasis.

• If you have nervous system problems.

• If you have porphyria, a blood disorder.

• If you have a genetic condition called glucose-6-dehydrogenase deficiency.

Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects:

Stop using this product and seek immediate medical help if you develop rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious side effects:

• Skin reactions

• Eye problems

• Liver problems

• Heart problems

Other medicines and Hydroxychloroquine sulfate:

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate interacts with the following medicines:

• Some antibiotics

• Medicines that affect the heart rhythm

• Medicines used for epilepsy

• Medicines used for myasthenia gravis

• Medicine that affect the eyes

• Medicines used for diabetes

• Medicines used for heartburn

• Cimetidine

• Tamoxifen

• Digoxin

• Ciclosporin 

• Methotrexate

• Rabies vaccine

• Praziquantel 

How to take Hydroxychloroquine sulfate:

• Take as indicated by your doctor.

• Take this medicine with food or a glass of milk.

• Swallow tablet whole, do not break or crush.

• For rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, the usual dosing is 1-2 tablets, once or twice daily.

• For malaria prevention, the usual dosing is 2 tablets once weekly.

• For malaria treatment, the usual dosing is 800 mg then 400 mg after 6 hours, 12 hours and 48 hours of first dose.

• For children, the dose is weight based. Your doctor will determine the dose.

How to store Hydroxychloroquine sulfate:

• Store at room temperature 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C).

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.