{"id":626935,"date":"2024-02-21T10:22:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T15:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626935"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:07:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:07:12","slug":"hydroxychloroquine-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hydroxychloroquine-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydroxychloroquine interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/a> is a prescription drug classified as an oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), which most people commonly use for <\/span>autoimmune diseases<\/span><\/a>. Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system is overactive to the point of causing damage to your organs or systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it for treating <\/span>rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/a>, systemic <\/span>lupus<\/span><\/a> erythematosus, and <\/span>malaria<\/span><\/a>. Hydroxychloroquine can prevent malaria and serve as prophylactic dosing. Hydroxychloroquine also received a surge in media presence as one of the many drugs used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> in treating coronavirus after the pandemic that started in 2020. The FDA has not approved its use for this indication, and there are still ongoing clinical trials to determine its effectiveness and risk profile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/a>, often known as <\/span>Plaquenil<\/span><\/a>, is available as an oral tablet in strengths of 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg. Hydroxychloroquine, as well as the related drug <\/span>chloroquine<\/span><\/a>, are derivatives of quinine. Hydroxychloroquine can interact with many other drugs as well as diseases. Hydroxychloroquine can cause a specific arrhythmia known as QT prolongation, and it should be avoided in use with other medications that have the same risk or a patient with a history of this type of arrhythmia. Patients with <\/span>epilepsy<\/span><\/a> (seizures) and are on medication for this condition should exercise caution when using hydroxychloroquine due to its potential to lower the seizure threshold. Other antirheumatic or immunosuppressant drugs should be avoided when possible or monitored closely. Drugs such as antacids or antibiotics can alter the bioavailability and absorption of hydroxychloroquine. Patients with a history of retinal disease, diabetes, or renal impairment (kidney disease) should exercise caution and speak to their prescriber before starting hydroxychloroquine. This is important because these interactions can worsen side effects or render one or both drugs ineffective.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydroxychloroquine drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hydroxychloroquine can interact with other medications in various drug classes and certain conditions in the body. Its use is only appropriate for some. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of interactions, and you must speak to your prescriber and pharmacist about all comorbid conditions and other medications you are taking before starting hydroxychloroquine. This is intended to be informative but not used in place of medical advice from your healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrhythmogenic drugs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hydroxychloroquine can cause life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It prolongs the QT interval, and these effects increase with increasing blood levels of hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine is also linked to cardiotoxicity (heart damage) from inflammation, infiltration, or necrosis. There are a variety of drugs that also have these same risks or alter the heart’s rhythm, and combining hydroxychloroquine with these drugs increases the chance of a fatal arrhythmia from the combined effects of these drugs. These drugs are not just those intended to cause a change in the heart rhythm or treat arrhythmias, but also those intended to treat other conditions but cause a change in rhythm as an unintended consequence. Symptoms of an arrhythmia include heart palpitations, chest pain or tightening, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness. Do not take hydroxychloroquine if you have a history of heart failure, irregular heart rate, or other heart problems. If you experience these symptoms while on hydroxychloroquine, seek medical help immediately. <\/span><\/p>\n

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