Do not lower the dose on your own. Plaquenil stays in your body for about 3 months. If you must stop it, it will take a while for the side effects to go away. You should have an eye examination every year to prevent a very rare but serious eye problem. Less than one person in 5, develops the problem. Only an eye doctor can see if you have a problem with your retina. Almost always the damage will go away if it is found early and the medicine stopped. You should not take this medicine if you already have problems with the retinas in your eyes.
You should not take this if you have an allergy to antimalarial medications. Read our easy-to-print PDF version of this fact sheet. Please note: This information is intended to complement, not replace, the advice and care you receive from medical and health professionals. For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.
Stay Informed. Connect with us. Lupus Medicines - Hydroxychloroquine. If you have existing problems associated with the retina of the eye see below , HCQ may not be an appropriate treatment option for you. Please discuss this with your health-care provider. If you experience any changes to your vision while on HCQ discontinue therapy and contact your health-care provider immediately. Anyone who has had a previous allergic reaction to HCQ should avoid the medication. HCQ is likely compatible with pregnancy and has been used safely in clinical practice.
Data suggests that the drug does not pose significant fetal risk and the medication is often continued during pregnancy. Please discuss treatment options with your health-care provider if you are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant.
HCQ is generally well tolerated. Rare side effects associated with HCQ include upset stomach, diarrhea, headaches and dizziness. HCQ can also cause a rash, darkening of the skin and ringing in the ears. If you develop a rash or ringing in the ears while on HCQ, please contact your health-care provider.
HCQ can sometimes make your skin more sensitive to the sun, meaning you may sunburn more easily. It is recommended to be taken with food.
Symptoms can start to improve in one to two months, but it may take up to six months before the full benefits of this medication are experienced. Hydroxychloroquine typically is very well tolerated.
Serious side effects are rare. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often improve with time. Less common side effects include rash, changes in skin pigment such as darkening or dark spots , hair changes, and muscle weakness.
Rarely, hydroxychloroquine can lead to anemia in some individuals. This can happen in individuals with a condition known as G6PD deficiency or porphyria. In rare cases, hydroxychloroquine can cause visual changes or loss of vision. Such vision problems are more likely to occur in individuals taking high doses for many years, in individuals 60 years or older, those with significant kidney or liver disease, and those with underlying retinal disease.
At the recommended dose, development of visual problems due to the medication is rare.
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