Drug Database - Plaquenil Sulfate

Generic Name: hydroxychloroquine (hye-drox-ee-KLOR-oh-quinn)

Brand Names: Plaquenil Sulfate®

Classification: Analgesic

Issue Date: 1980

Plaquenil Sulfate is an antimalarial drug and an analgesic (pain reliever). The exact way that Plaquenil Sulfate works is unknown.

Plaquenil Sulfate is used to treat and prevent malaria. Plaquenil Sulfate is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Plaquenil Sulfate is also used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• had an allergic reaction to previous Plaquenil Sulfate therapy
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency
• ever had eye damage or visual changes due to Plaquenil Sulfate or chloroquine
• psoriasis
• porphyria
• liver disease

You may not be able to take Plaquenil Sulfate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether Plaquenil Sulfate will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Plaquenil Sulfate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known how Plaquenil Sulfate will affect a nursing infant. Do not take Plaquenil Sulfate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Plaquenil Sulfate may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

Take Plaquenil Sulfate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Plaquenil Sulfate with food to lessen stomach upset. Store Plaquenil Sulfate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Plaquenil Sulfate may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Plaquenil Sulfate and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• fever
• visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing
• changes in eye color
• hearing loss or ringing in the ears

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking Plaquenil Sulfate, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a gold compound such as:
• aurothioglucose (Solganal®)
• auranofin (Ridaura®)
• gold sodium thiomalate (Aurolate®, Myochrysine®)

• digoxin (Lanoxin®, Lanoxicaps®)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Folex®)

You may not be able to take Plaquenil Sulfate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Plaquenil Sulfate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.