In this article from GCORP LLC Health Magazine, join us as we explore what hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are good for and how to take them.

What is hydroxychloroquine sulfate pill?

Also, this pill is used to treat some autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.... The immune system naturally protects the body from infections by attacking foreign cells... But when the normal function of the immune system is disrupted, it mistakenly engages with its own cells and problems such as inflammation in the joints or skin appear... To treat autoimmune diseases caused by this disease, the doctor prescribes hydroxychloroquine to inhibit the abnormal function of immune cells.

Hydroxychloroquine effect mechanism

The compounds of this pill accumulate inside the cells infected with Plasmodium (the cause of malaria). In fact, the drug hydroxychloroquine sulfate can increase the pH of the intracellular vesicles of the malaria parasite to prevent its ability to break down hemoglobin. This mechanism helps to destroy the parasite. Dendritic cells and lymphocytes work... Also, reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines regulates immune reactions.... The result of this mechanism is the reduction of inflammation in diseases such as lupus arthritis and rheumatism...

Uses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate

This drug is used to prevent and treat several diseases, the most important of which include the following:

1- Rheumatism

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are prescribed for rheumatism of the joints or rheumatoid arthritis. This type of rheumatism is the most common systemic inflammatory disease of the joints and is classified as a chronic autoimmune disease. Furosemide

2- Lupus

This drug helps to treat the autoimmune disease lupus.... The doctor may prescribe hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to treat pain, swelling and improve skin problems caused by types of lupus such as discoid lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus erythematosus... This drug is effective in reducing inflammation and suppressing the body's immune system to control autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

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3- Malaria

Hydroxychloroquine is prescribed to prevent or treat infection caused by the parasite that causes malaria.. This medicine is suitable for types of malaria that are not resistant to its parasite.

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How to take hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets

This drug must be prescribed by a specialist doctor.... The doctor usually determines the dose of the drug based on the patient's age, the type of disease and the general health status of the patient... Typically, the prescribed dose of hydroxychloroquine for malaria and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis is as follows:

• Malaria: Usually one tablet (200 mg) is prescribed during the week, which should be started 2 weeks before entering the area where malaria mosquitoes live and continue for four weeks after leaving the area.
• Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis:This tablet is also prescribed orally for autoimmune diseases.. The usual dose for adults is one or two 200 mg tablets per day.. If necessary, the doctor will gradually increase the dosage..

Remember, for better effectiveness of this drug, you must take it completely until the end of the treatment period.... If you feel that the symptoms of the disease have improved after taking a few doses of the drug, do not stop taking the pill arbitrarily.... because it may cause re-infection or relapse of the disease.... Also, if you forget to take a dose of the drug, take it as you forgot... Continue hydroxychloroquine sulfate as directed by your doctor Give.

The best time to use hydroxychloroquine sulfate

The best time to use this medicine depends on the type of disease and the condition of the patient.... However, following some general guidelines such as the following can help the absorption of the drug and reduce side effects:

• To reduce the possibility of stomach irritation and digestive problems, take the medicine with food or a glass of milk.
• It is better to take this pill every day at a specific time so that a constant dose of medicine remains in the body.
• If hydroxychloroquine causes fatigue or nausea, you can take it before bed after consulting with your doctor to experience fewer side effects during the day.

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Is hydroxychloroquine sulfate prescribed before embryo transfer?

The use of this drug is usually recommended before embryo transfer and in the process of artificial insemination or IVF for patients who need to control their immune system due to autoimmune diseases such as lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome...

Warnings and contraindications of hydroxychloroquine sulfate

This medicine should be used with caution in the presence of the following conditions and diseases, and it may be contraindicated in some cases:

• sensitivity to the components of this drug or other similar drugs
• Eye problems such as macular disease, retina or visual field problems
• Heart discomfort and irregular heartbeat
• stomach discomfort
• Diabetes
• Skin diseases such as psoriasis
• some blood disorders such as porphyria
• Specific genetic problems
• Seizure history
Kidney and liver disease Regular use of alcohol and tobacco

It should be noted, this drug increases your sensitivity to sunlight.... So be sure to use sunscreen, hats, glasses, and long clothes when exposed to the sun.... If your skin gets sunburned or red blisters, be sure to inform your doctor.

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Hydroxychloroquine sulfate in breastfeeding and pregnancy

Currently, due to the lack of sufficient research, it is not possible to say for sure whether hydroxychloroquine sulfate affects pregnancy or not. Therefore, as much as possible, experts do not prescribe this drug during pregnancy. Also, the effectiveness of taking the mentioned pill during breastfeeding is not known...

Hydroxychloroquine side effects

The most important risks and side effects of hydroxychloroquine sulfate include the following:

Common side effects

The most common side effects of this pill are:

• Headache
• dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Hair loss
• Mood swings
• Itchy skin or rash

Serious side effects

Incorrect and long-term use of this drug can lead to serious and irreparable side effects. Damage to the retina is one of the side effects of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, which usually appears as seeing light strings in the vision, changing the color of the eyes, or swelling them. If the face, lips, tongue or throat stops, take the medicine immediately and take the patient to the emergency room...

Other serious side effects of this pill that you should report to your doctor after experiencing them include:

• chest pain, palpitations, feeling very confused and fainting
• Headache, profuse sweating, irritability and constant feeling of hunger
• Very low heart rate and muscle weakness
Numbness or numbness of the limbs
• severe drop in blood sugar, trembling of limbs and feeling of anxiety
• Sore throat, fever, chills and feeling sick
• Severe reduction of red blood cells, pale skin and abnormal bruising
Swelling of the gums, pain in the mouth and skin Abnormal bleeding

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Are hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets fattening?

This pill does not directly affect weight gain....In fact, most people after taking hydroxychloroquine pills report that this medicine causes them to lose appetite and lose weight...However, if you are using this medicine to treat lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you should be aware that these diseases themselves cause weight gain.

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Drug interactions of hydroxychloroquine sulfate

Concurrent use of this pill with some medications may cause drug interactions and reduce their effects... Also, drug interactions can increase the side effects of drugs..

Drugs that may interact with hydroxychloroquine sulfate include:

• Medicines to treat diarrhea and antacids
• some antibiotics and antifungals
• Other drugs that treat malaria
• Antiviral drugs for the treatment of AIDS and hepatitis
• Antidepressant and psychotic drugs
• Contraceptive pills
Blood pressure and heart medications
• blood lipid lowering drugs
• cancer treatment drugs
• Tuberculosis drug
• Seizure medicine
Pain reliever for arthritis
• Herbal supplements

Guide to see a doctor

Hydroxychloroquine with relatively less side effects and the ability to use them for a long time is a suitable option for the treatment of chronic diseases. Of course, it should be taken under the supervision of a specialist doctor and periodic eye examinations should be considered during the treatment period...

If you want to be sure of the safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate according to your specific situation, it is better to visit the website of GCORP LLC and consult with the best specialist doctors, including an infectious disease doctor online, or use the online appointment system to see an infectious disease specialist..

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: webmd | Drugs