Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription medicine most people know for treating malaria, but it's also used long-term to control autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It calms certain immune responses and can reduce flares, pain, and inflammation. That makes it helpful for many chronic conditions, but it also means you need regular check-ins with a clinician while you take it.
Doctors prescribe hydroxychloroquine for a few different reasons. For malaria, it can be used for prevention and treatment in areas where the parasite is sensitive. For autoimmune diseases, it’s taken daily as a maintenance drug to lower disease activity and reduce flare frequency. Dosing depends on weight, the condition being treated, and kidney or liver health—so don’t copy someone else’s dose. Always follow the exact instructions from your prescriber.
Many people start feeling benefits after several weeks, but full effects for autoimmune disease may take a few months. If symptoms don’t improve or side effects appear, talk with your healthcare provider rather than stopping the drug on your own.
Common short-term side effects include nausea, stomach upset, headache, and mild skin rash. These often settle after a few days or weeks. The biggest long-term concern is retinal toxicity—damage to the eye that can affect vision. That risk rises with higher cumulative dose and long use, so most doctors order a baseline eye exam and repeat screening after five years or sooner if you have risk factors.
Hydroxychloroquine can also affect the heart. In rare cases it may prolong the QT interval and cause irregular heartbeats. Combining it with other QT‑prolonging drugs—like some antibiotics or certain antidepressants—raises that risk. If you have heart disease, low potassium, or take multiple meds, your doctor may recommend an ECG or adjust therapy.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, don't assume safety or harm without a chat with your clinician. For some women with lupus, staying on hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy is recommended to prevent flares, but each case is different.
Also mention allergies and rare blood problems: if you have known hypersensitivity to the drug or a history of blood disorders, tell your prescriber. People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should get specific advice—serious hemolysis is uncommon but possible.
Store tablets at room temperature, keep them out of reach of children, and never take extra doses if you miss one without checking first. In case of suspected overdose, contact emergency services or poison control immediately—high doses can be life‑threatening.
Buy hydroxychloroquine only from licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription. Counterfeit meds are a real risk online. If you have questions about side effects, monitoring, or interactions, ask your prescriber or pharmacist—bring a current meds list so they can check for dangerous combinations.
Need help framing questions for your doctor? Ask: Why is this drug right for me? What should I watch for in the first weeks? Do I need baseline tests now? How often will we check my eyes and heart? Clear answers make treatment safer and easier to manage.
