Diff: Hydroxychloroquine
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Hydroxychloroquine is a medication that has been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, primarily malaria, and certain autoimmune conditions. It is part of a class of drugs known as antimalarials and is also categorized as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Hydroxychloroquine has gained significant attention due to its potential use in the treatment of COVID-19 during the global pandemic. |
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'''Hydroxychloroquine''' is a medicine used for malaria and for some autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. It is also used in rheumatology and dermatology, including in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. |
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== Medical Uses == |
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Hydroxychloroquine is primarily prescribed for the following purposes: |
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Hydroxychloroquine became widely discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major health authorities do not recommend it for preventing or treating COVID-19. |
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=== Malaria Prevention and Treatment === |
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Hydroxychloroquine is an effective antimalarial drug and is used to prevent and treat malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium species. |
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== Uses == |
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Hydroxychloroquine has several established uses. In the United Kingdom it is used for conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and it has also historically been used for malaria. |
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=== Autoimmune Diseases === |
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Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used to manage autoimmune diseases such as: |
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In lupus, it can help with rashes, joint and muscle pain, fatigue and flare reduction. Its effect is gradual; people may need to take it for weeks before noticing benefit. |
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* [[Rheumatoid Arthritis]]: It can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. |
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* [[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus|Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)]]: It is used to treat symptoms of SLE, an autoimmune disease that affects various organs and systems. |
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* [[Sjögren's Syndrome]]: Hydroxychloroquine can alleviate symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder affecting moisture-producing glands. |
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== How It Works == |
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Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial medicine with immune-modifying effects. In autoimmune disease it can reduce inappropriate immune activity and inflammation. It is not a painkiller in the ordinary short-term sense and is not usually expected to work immediately. |
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== COVID-19 Controversy == |
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, hydroxychloroquine gained widespread attention as a potential treatment for the virus. However, its effectiveness and safety in treating COVID-19 have been a subject of debate and controversy. |
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== Monitoring and Eye Safety == |
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Long-term use can rarely damage the retina, a condition called hydroxychloroquine retinopathy. This is why people taking hydroxychloroquine for a long time, or people at higher risk of eye problems, may have regular eye checks. |
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While some early studies suggested that hydroxychloroquine could have potential benefits against COVID-19, subsequent research and clinical trials have produced conflicting results. Regulatory agencies and health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have issued cautionary statements regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment due to concerns about its safety and efficacy. |
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Retinopathy can be serious because it may cause permanent sight loss. Monitoring aims to find early signs before the person notices symptoms. |
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== Side Effects and Precautions == |
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Hydroxychloroquine, like any medication, can have potential side effects, including: |
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== Side Effects == |
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Common or recognised side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, skin rash and changes in appetite. Less common but important risks include serious skin reactions, liver problems, heart rhythm problems and eye toxicity. |
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* Gastrointestinal discomfort |
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* Skin rashes |
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* Retinal damage (in rare cases, with prolonged use) |
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* Muscle weakness |
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The risk profile depends on dose, duration, other health conditions and other medicines. Kidney disease, liver disease, existing eye disease, heart problems and diabetes may affect whether hydroxychloroquine is suitable. |
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It is important for individuals taking hydroxychloroquine to be monitored by healthcare professionals, especially if used for prolonged periods. |
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== COVID-19 == |
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During the early COVID-19 pandemic, hydroxychloroquine was promoted as a possible treatment. Later trial evidence did not support routine use. |
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WHO does not recommend hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 or to treat COVID-19. It cites trial evidence showing little or no benefit for prevention and no reduction in key outcomes for treatment, with increased risk of adverse effects. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Systemic_Lupus_Erythematosus]] |
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* [[Rheumatoid_Arthritis]] |
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* [[Autoimmune_Disorders]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hydroxychloroquine/ NHS: Hydroxychloroquine] |
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* [https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/lupus/ NHS inform: Lupus] |
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* [https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29-hydroxychloroquine WHO: COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine] |
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* [https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/news-views/hydroxychloroquine-and-chloroquine-retinopathy/ Royal College of Ophthalmologists: Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinopathy] |
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[[Category:Medicine]] |
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[[Category:Pharmacology]] |