People with serious medical conditions such as cancer and AIDS should not take hydroxychloroquine. The use of this drug should be discontinued if a liver problem or kidney disease is suspected. Also, people with severe heart problems, diabetes, liver disease, or any other serious condition that causes you to be at high risk for serious side effects should not take hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloquine should not be taken by pregnant women who may become pregnant. In addition, hydroxychloroquine have been associated with sexual dysfunction and fertility in men and women. Hydroxychloroquine can cause some mild side effects. These side effects may include nausea, vomiting, headaches, insomnia, skin rash, dry mouth, dizziness, increased heart rate, blurred vision, nervousness, and blurred vision. Hydroxychloroquine side effects also can vary according to the dosage taken, how often taken, and what kind of person is taking the drug.
Hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) has long been recognized as a disease-modifying, anti-inflammatory drug (DMAD). It has shown effectiveness against the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and can reduce the risk of future disability. Hydroxychloroquine is generally in a similar class of drugs known as immunomodulators, which have been used to treat malaria and prevent infections in humans. In humans, hydroxychloroquine are used to treat swelling and pain in the joints, the fluid in the joints, and inflammation of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Hydroxychloroquine can reduce pain and inflammation of the joint and reduce the chance of long-term disability from joint damage. They can prevent joint damage by preventing bacteria from penetrating through the skin and into the joints, reducing the possibility of osteoarthritis and making it easier for cartilage to heal after trauma. They can also ease arthritis symptoms and make it more difficult for arthritis sufferers to develop osteoarthritis, according to clinical studies. As with most prescription drugs, hydroxychloroquine carry some possible risks such as respiratory depression, abdominal discomfort, heart arrhythmia, and stroke. Hydroxycloquine should not be taken with beta blockers, aspirin, other strong painkillers, anticoagulants, and calcium channel blockers.