Ordering Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
At CanadianPharmacyWorld, we provide access to this medication for patients with a valid prescription from their healthcare provider. As a licensed pharmacy, we are committed to providing significant savings while ensuring our customers receive safe, affordable medications delivered directly to their homes. To learn more about our dedication to pharmacy standards, please visit our About Us page.
Available Brands and Generic Variants
Patients may see different brand names for this medication depending on the manufacturer and country of origin. While the active ingredient (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) remains the same.
In Canada, the brand-name version, Plaquenil, is produced by Sanofi-Aventis.
Generic versions are produced by various international laboratories under different trade names:
• Canada: Apo-Hydroxyquine (Apotex)
• India: HQTOR (Torrent Pharmaceuticals)
• The United Kingdom: Quinoric (Bristol Laboratories Ltd.)
Dosage Strengths and Available Forms
This medication and its generic counterpart are commonly available as a 200 mg oral tablet.
Usage and Indications
This versatile medication is used for both its antimalarial and anti-inflammatory effects. In tropical and subtropical areas where malaria is common, it is prescribed to prevent or treat infections transmitted by mosquitoes carrying the parasite. Stopping the parasite's growth in red blood cells helps control disease progression in both residents and travelers.
This is widely acknowledged as a "disease-modifying" treatment for chronic autoimmune diseases. It is frequently used to control lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Possible Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Common Side Effects - If any of the following side effects persist or cause you concern, contact your healthcare provider for guidance:
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Skin rash or itching. (Note: If a rash is accompanied by fever, blistering, or involves mucous membranes, seek emergency medical care immediately, as this may indicate a severe reaction.)
• Vomiting
Other Potential Side Effects (less common) - The following list includes side effects that are reported less frequently by individuals:
• Blurred vision (initial or temporary)
• Emotional instability or nervousness
• Hair loss (thinning)
• Irritability
• Muscle weakness
• Nightmares
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Skin pigment changes (blue-black discoloration)
Serious Side Effects – Although serious reactions are rare, they require immediate medical attention. Stop using medication and call your doctor or emergency services immediately if any of the following occur:
• Blood Disorders: Significant decreases in blood cell counts (anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia).
• Cardiomyopathy: Weakening of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure or irregular heart rhythms (QT prolongation).
• Hypoglycemia: Severe low blood sugar, which can cause fainting or seizures, even in patients without diabetes.
• Neuromyopathy: Progressive muscle weakness and nerve damage, often felt in the hips or shoulders.
• Psychiatric Symptoms: New or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or hallucinations.
• Retinopathy: Permanent damage to the retina; this is the most significant long-term risk and requires regular specialized "visual field" eye exams.
• Severe Skin Reactions: Conditions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, characterized by painful blistering and peeling skin.
Absolute Contraindications
Before starting treatment, it is important to identify certain medical conditions that preclude its use. Do not take Plaquenil if the following conditions exist:
• Hypersensitivity: a known allergy or hypersensitivity to hydroxychloroquine or 4-aminoquinoline compounds (such as chloroquine).
• Pre-existing Retinopathy: pre-existing clinical changes in the retina or visual field of the eye.
Medical Conditions Requiring Consultation
The following conditions warrant a detailed discussion with a healthcare provider before starting this medication, as they may need to be adjusted or avoided to ensure patient safety:
• Diabetes: Use of insulin or other diabetes medications, as this medication may enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effect.
• G6PD Deficiency: A history of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency, which can lead to the destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis).
• Heart Disease: A history of heart rhythm problems (specifically Long QT syndrome) or heart failure.
• Kidney Disease: Reduced kidney function, which may require a dosage adjustment as the drug is cleared through the kidneys
• Liver Problems: Liver disease or heavy alcohol use.
• Neurological Disorders: A history of seizures or epilepsy.
• Psoriasis or Porphyria: These skin and blood conditions can be severely exacerbated by this medication.
Drug Interactions
Understanding how Plaquenil interacts with other substances is essential for safe and effective treatment. The following medications may require close monitoring or dosage adjustments when taken concurrently:
• Anti-arrhythmic Medications: (Amiodarone, quinidine, and sotalol); combining these with this medication can significantly increase the risk of serious, life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances (QT prolongation).
• Azithromycin (Zithromax); use of this medication is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events and abnormal heart rhythms.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin): This medication may increase the concentration of digoxin in your blood, which can lead to digoxin toxicity and require frequent blood level monitoring.
• Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues: (Glimepiride, Glipizide, Glyburide, and various insulin formulations). This medication may enhance the effects of these drugs, significantly increasing the risk of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Tamoxifen (Soltamox): Using this medication alongside others may raise the risk of permanent retinal damage (retinopathy).
Other Notable Interactions:• Antiepileptic Drugs: (Carbamazepine and phenytoin) This medication may lower the effectiveness of these seizure medications, potentially increasing the risk of breakthrough seizures.
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, and Sandimmune). This medication can increase cyclosporine levels in your blood, which may increase the risk of kidney damage.
• Methotrexate: (Trexall); while often prescribed together, this combination requires careful monitoring as it may increase the frequency and severity of side effects.
• Praziquantel: (Biltricide); Plaquenil may lower the amount of this medication in your blood, potentially making it less effective at treating parasitic infections.
Storage and Safety Information
Plaquenil comes in tablet form and should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), away from extreme heat or cold. It also needs to be kept away from direct light.
Regular clinical monitoring is essential. You will require a baseline eye exam within the first year of treatment, followed by annual screenings after 5 years of use. Periodic blood tests are also necessary to monitor cell counts and liver function.
An overdose can be deadly, especially for children. If you suspect an overdose, get emergency help right away or call Poison Control at (1-844-764-7669).
When taken long-term (usually over 5 years) or at a daily dose exceeding 5mg/kg of your body weight, it can lead to irreversible retinal damage. The risk mainly relates to the cumulative dose received over time.
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The drug information provided here is only a summary and does not contain all the list of possible side effects and drug interactions regarding this medication. Be sure to contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any specific question or concern. If you require any advice or information about the drugs on this page, a medical condition or treatment advice, you should always speak to a healthcare professional.
Please note that not all products, including any referenced in this page, are shipped by our affiliated Canadian Pharmacy. We are affiliated with other dispensaries that ship product to our customers from the following jurisdictions: Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, India, and United Kingdom. The items in your order maybe shipped from any of the above jurisdictions. The products are sourced from various countries as well as those listed above. Rest assured, we only affiliate with our authorized dispensaries that procure product through reliable sources.