Things you need to know about Hydroxychloroquine

You may have heard the name Hydroxychloroquine in the news during the COVID pandemic. But it is actually a very old drug that has been used since the 1940s. In the early days, doctors used it to treat malaria. Today, it is most commonly used for other medical conditions. Today, we will talk about what this drug is actually used for, what side effects it may cause, and what to be careful about when using it.

Is this medicine really suitable for Covid-19?

This is a question that many people have. Simply put, no . The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend hydroxychloroquine for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They came to this decision after extensive research.

Just think, six studies of thousands of people without COVID-19 found that the drug had no effect on preventing them from getting COVID, getting hospitalized, or dying. And 30 studies of more than 10,000 COVID-19 patients found that the drug did not reduce the need for ventilators or the risk of death. That's why it is not currently recommended for COVID-19.

So what kind of diseases is this medicine used for?

Hydroxychloroquine is most commonly used today for autoimmune disorders. Now you're probably wondering what that is.

Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for you if you have any of the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Primary Sjogren's syndrome

Experts are still not sure exactly how this drug works, but they think it changes the way immune cells signal each other. It may also turn off some of the processes that cause inflammation.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, hydroxychloroquine can cause side effects. Although not everyone gets them, some side effects are mild and go away over time.

In addition, the following other symptoms may also occur:

• Itching or rash on the skin
• Darkening or spotting of the skin
• Hair changes (e.g., color change)
• Muscle weakness
• Mood changes
• Ringing in ears

Serious side effects to be aware of

These are a bit serious, so it's very important to be aware of this.

Effects on the heart

Hydroxychloroquine can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythm. This is especially true if you take it with certain other medications, such as azithromycin . This can cause changes in the electrical activity of the heart. Specifically, it can cause an abnormally fast heart rate (ventricular tachycardia) or a dangerous change in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval).

Eye damage

This is a very important point. Although rare, hydroxychloroquine can cause damage to the retina of the eye.

This risk is increased in people like:

• For those over 60 years of age
• For those taking high doses of the drug for more than 5 years
• For those with severe kidney or liver disease
• For those who already have eye or retina diseases

Therefore, if you use this medication long-term, it is essential to have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist.Your doctor will tell you to get your eyes checked once a year or at least once every 5 years.

Other serious effects

• Blood system disorders: Anemia may occur rarely, especially in people with blood disorders such as G6PD deficiency or porphyria.
• Kidney problems
• Liver damage or dysfunction

Drug Interactions

Hydroxychloroquine may interact with some medications. It can change how well they work or increase the risk of side effects. So it's important to tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you're taking.

If you are taking tamoxifen for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about that as well. It may not be appropriate to take these two medications together for more than 6 months.

Who can take this medicine? Who can't?

Hydroxychloroquine is safe for most adults and children. Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your body weight.

Although research has shown that this medicine is safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding,Be sure to talk to your doctor about any medication you take.

If you have psoriasis , a skin disease, be careful about that as this medicine may worsen your symptoms.

Who should not take this medicine?

If you are allergic to other medications containing 4-aminoquinoline compounds, such as chloroquine, you should not take hydroxychloroquine.

If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately. Such symptoms include:

• Swelling of the throat, mouth, or face
• Skin rash or blistering
• Severe itching