All About Plaquenil
NOT USED FOR COVID-19
Hydroxychloroquine, the active drug in Plaquenil, is not recommended for use in treating COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2). Do not take any prescription drug, including Plaquenil, unless your doctor recommends that you do so.
For information about how to prepare, advice on prevention and treatment, and expert recommendations, visit our coronavirus hub.
If you have malaria, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor may prescribe Plaquenil for you.
Plaquenil is a prescription drug used to:
- treat or help prevent certain types of malaria in adults and some children
- treat long-term discoid lupus erythematosus in adults
- treat systemic lupus erythematosus in adults
- treat RA in adults
To learn more about the drug’s uses, see the “What is Plaquenil used for?” section below.
Plaquenil basics
Plaquenil comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It belongs to a group of drugs called antimalarials.
Plaquenil contains the active drug hydroxychloroquine. It’s also available as a generic drug called hydroxychloroquine.
In this article, we describe Plaquenil’s side effects, dosage, uses, and more.
Like most drugs, Plaquenil may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Plaquenil may cause. Many of these side effects were reported after the drug became available for use.
These lists don’t include all possible side effects. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
For more information on Plaquenil’s side effects, see this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also discuss the other potential side effects of Plaquenil as well as ways to ease symptoms.
Note: Plaquenil was approved by the FDA in 1955 after being found safe. Because it’s an older drug, the approval process looked a little different than it does today. Drug studies back then weren’t as extensive as they are today. So detailed information on side effects wasn’t collected until after the drug became available for public use.
Mild side effects
Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Plaquenil can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Plaquenil’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Plaquenil that have been reported include:
- digestive problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and belly pain
- fatigue (low energy)
- headache
- dizziness
- nervousness or irritability
- ringing in your ears
- weight loss
- rash
- hair loss*
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Plaquenil can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Plaquenil, call your doctor right away. But, if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Plaquenil that have been reported include:
- muscle problems, such as muscle weakness or pain
- nerve problems, such as nerve damage
- mental health problems, such as mood changes, new or worsened depression, or suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- very low blood sugar level
- ear problems, such as hearing loss or ringing in your ears
- liver problems, such as liver failure
- problems with sleep, such as having nightmares
- toxicity,* such as:
- retinal toxicity
- heart toxicity
- skin toxicity
- blood toxicity
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
- Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
Side effect focus
Learn more about some of the side effects Plaquenil may cause. In addition to the information below, you can refer to this article for details about Plaquenil’s side effects.
Toxicity
In rare cases, you may have toxicity (damage) to certain areas of your body with Plaquenil. Toxicities have been reported since Plaquenil became available for the public to use.
Keep reading to learn more about the different toxicities Plaquenil may cause. In addition to the information below, you can refer to this article for details about Plaquenil’s side effects.
Retinal toxicity
You may have retinal toxicity with Plaquenil. Retinal toxicity refers to damage to your retina, which is the thin layer of tissue in the back of your eye. For details, see “Eye-related side effects” below.
Heart toxicity
You may have certain heart problems with Plaquenil, such as irregular heart rhythm or cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle).
You may have a higher risk of heart problems from taking the drug if you already have an irregular heart rhythm. Having heart disease can increase your risk of this side effect. So can low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood and taking certain medications that affect your heart rhythm.
Symptoms of these conditions include:
- having a rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- swelling in your legs
- weakness
- chest pain
- trouble breathing
What might help. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor about any heart problems you have. Due to the risk for heart toxicity, doctors typically won’t prescribe Plaquenil to people who have:
- heart disease, such as heart failure, or have had a heart attack
- a slow heart rhythm
- low potassium or magnesium blood levels that aren’t being treated
Also tell your doctor about any other medications you take. Doctors usually won’t prescribe Plaquenil to people who are taking other medications that can affect heart rhythm. Your doctor will let you know if Plaquenil is safe for you to take.
If you have symptoms of heart problems while taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking the drug until they’re able to confirm whether Plaquenil is the cause. If so, they may prescribe a different drug for your condition.
Skin toxicity
You may have serious skin problems while taking Plaquenil. Examples include toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).
TEN and SJS are severe rashes that can lead to peeling and blistering of your skin. These reactions can be life threatening in some cases.
What might help. If you notice a severe rash or other skin problems while you’re taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor right away. If you have skin problems along with fever, blisters, or severe itching or burning, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Your doctor will check to see if your skin problems are caused by the drug. If so, they’ll discuss with you the best way to manage this side effect.
Blood toxicity
You may have certain blood disorders while taking Plaquenil. This includes low levels of platelets (cells that help your blood clot), red blood cells, and white blood cells.
Symptoms of these blood disorders can include:
- tiredness
- headache
- unusual bleeding, such as having nosebleeds or bleeding from your gums
- infections
What might help. Before taking Plaquenil, your doctor may check your levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. And they may check your levels again from time to time during treatment.
If you develop a blood disorder while taking Plaquenil, your doctor will suggest treatments. And they’ll tell you if it’s safe to keep taking Plaquenil.
Eye-related side effects, including retinal toxicity
Plaquenil may cause certain eye-related side effects. Eye-related side effects have been reported since the drug became available to the public for use.
For example, Plaquenil may cause retinal toxicity. This refers to damage to your retina, which is the thin layer of tissue in the back of your eye. Symptoms of retinal damage can include loss of vision or changes in vision, such as blurry vision or double vision.
Your risk of retinal damage with Plaquenil may be higher if you:
- have other eye problems
- have kidney problems
- take certain other drugs
- take high doses of Plaquenil
- take Plaquenil for longer than 5 years
What might help
Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor about other health conditions you have. Also tell them about any other medications you take. Your doctor will discuss whether any of these factors increase your risk of eye-related side effects with Plaquenil.
Within 12 months of starting Plaquenil, your doctor will advise you to have an eye exam. And they may suggest you have eye exams periodically while taking the drug, depending on your risk of eye damage.
If you have eye problems while taking Plaquenil, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking the drug. They’ll suggest a different treatment for your condition.
You may continue to have eye problems even after you stop taking Plaquenil.
If you’re concerned about your risk of eye-related side effects from Plaquenil, talk with your doctor.
Hair loss
You may have hair loss with Plaquenil. This side effect has been reported since the drug became available for the public to use.
Keep in mind that hair loss can also be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which Plaquenil is used to treat. So hair loss may be due to having one of these conditions rather than taking Plaquenil.
What might help
If you have bothersome hair loss while taking Plaquenil, talk with your doctor. They can find out if the hair loss may be caused by Plaquenil or the condition you’re using the drug to treat. They can also suggest treatments or ways to lessen this symptom.
If you’d like to know more about your risk of hair loss with Plaquenil, talk with your doctor.
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Plaquenil.
Is Plaquenil an immunosuppressant, steroid, DMARD, or blood thinner?
Immunosuppressants are a group of drugs that lessen the activity of your immune system. Steroids are often used to manage swelling, while blood thinners are used to help prevent or treat blood clots. Plaquenil isn’t used for any of these purposes.
Instead, Plaquenil belongs to a group of drugs called antimalarials. It’s used to treat and help prevent certain forms of malaria. And Plaquenil is also used to treat certain autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and some forms of lupus.
When used to treat autoimmune diseases, Plaquenil is considered a DMARD. DMARDs are a group of drugs that help manage the symptoms of RA and other autoimmune diseases, including lupus.
Does Plaquenil cause weight gain?
No, it’s not likely. Weight gain hasn’t been reported as a side effect in people using Plaquenil. But weight loss and loss of appetite have been reported since Plaquenil became available to the public.
If you’re concerned about weight changes while taking Plaquenil, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to maintain a healthy weight.
Will stopping Plaquenil treatment cause side effects?
No, stopping Plaquenil treatment isn’t likely to cause any side effects.
But if you’re taking Plaquenil to treat lupus or RA, keep in mind that the symptoms of your condition may worsen after you stop taking the drug. This is because the drug helps manage the symptoms of these conditions. So stopping treatment with the drug could cause your symptoms to get worse.
If you’re concerned about side effects after stopping Plaquenil treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Plaquenil treat Sjögren’s disease, fibromyalgia, or psoriatic arthritis?
Plaquenil isn’t currently approved to treat Sjögren’s disease, fibromyalgia, or psoriatic arthritis. But Plaquenil may be prescribed off-label for these conditions. “Off-label” means prescribing a drug for certain conditions other than those it’s approved to treat.
Sjögren’s disease and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases, meaning they cause your immune system to attack your own body. With Sjögren’s disease, your immune system attacks glands in your body that make tears and saliva. With psoriatic arthritis, your immune system attacks your skin and joints.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes symptoms such as fatigue (low energy), bone and muscle pain, and insomnia (trouble sleeping).
If you’re interested in using Plaquenil to treat these conditions, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for you.
How does Plaquenil work? And how long does it stay in your system?
Plaquenil belongs to a group of drugs called antimalarials. It’s used to treat or help prevent malaria, and it’s also used to treat RA and certain forms of lupus.
It isn’t completely understood what Plaquenil does in your body to treat these conditions. If you have questions about how Plaquenil works for lupus, RA, or malaria, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Plaquenil’s half-life can be used to determine how long the drug stays in your system. A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for your body to get rid of half of a drug’s dose.
The half-life of Plaquenil is about 40 to 50 days. In other words, it takes about 40 to 50 days for your body to get rid of half of a dose of Plaquenil.
It typically takes about five half-lives for a drug to leave your body completely. This means that Plaquenil stays in your system for about 200 to 250 days.
Is it safe to be in sunlight while taking Plaquenil?
It may be best to limit your exposure to sunlight while taking Plaquenil.
This is because Plaquenil could make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, which could cause sunburn more easily than usual. This side effect has been reported since Plaquenil became available to the public.
While taking Plaquenil, be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing, such as long sleeves or a wide-brimmed hat.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Plaquenil that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
And for more information about Plaquenil’s dosages, see this article.
Form
Plaquenil comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.
Strength: 200 mg
Plaquenil is available in one strength: 200 milligrams (mg).
Recommended dosages
Your Plaquenil dosage will be based on:
- the condition you’re using Plaquenil to treat
- other medical conditions you have
- the side effects you have
- your age
Plaquenil can be used to treat or help prevent certain types of malaria in adults and some children. For malaria prevention, you’ll typically take Plaquenil once each week. To treat malaria, you’ll take up to four doses of Plaquenil within 48 hours.
For children, the exact Plaquenil dosage is based on their body weight. But you won’t need a dosage calculator to figure out a child’s dose. The child’s doctor will advise on the right dosage to give them.
Plaquenil is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and certain forms of lupus in adults. For these uses, you’ll take Plaquenil once or twice each day. Talk with your doctor to learn Plaquenil’s exact dosage for RA and dosage for lupus.
Questions about Plaquenil’s dosage
Below are answers to a few questions about Plaquenil’s dosage.
- What if I miss a dose of Plaquenil? What you’ll do about a missed dose of Plaquenil depends on the reason you’re taking the drug. If you miss a dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend what to do about a missed dose of Plaquenil.
- Will I need to use Plaquenil long term? Whether you’ll use Plaquenil short term or long term depends on the reason you’re taking the drug. You’ll likely take Plaquenil long term for the treatment of RA or lupus. But you’ll take the drug short term for the treatment or prevention of malaria. Your doctor will tell you how long you may take Plaquenil.
- How long does Plaquenil take to work? It depends on the reason you’re taking the drug. Plaquenil starts working in your body as soon as you take it. The drug will start to treat or help prevent malaria right away. But with RA or lupus, it may take several weeks to notice the symptoms of your condition start to ease. Talk with your doctor about what you might expect with Plaquenil treatment.
For more details about Plaquenil’s dosage, you can refer to this article.
If you have malaria, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor may prescribe Plaquenil for you. Plaquenil may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. “Off-label” means prescribing a drug for certain conditions other than those it’s approved to treat. Talk with your doctor for more information.
Plaquenil is a prescription drug used to:
Treat or help prevent certain types of malaria. For this use, Plaquenil can be prescribed for adults and children of any age who weigh at least 31 kilograms (68 pounds).* Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite, which can be spread to a person through a mosquito bite.
Note: Plaquenil can only be used for malaria caused by certain types of parasites. Plaquenil should not be used for other types of malaria, such as malaria caused by an unknown parasite. To find out if Plaquenil is right for you, talk with your doctor.
Treat chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). For this use, Plaquenil can be prescribed for adults. Chronic (long-term) DLE is a type of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning it causes your immune system to attack your own body. With DLE, your immune system attacks your skin. Symptoms of DLE include skin rash, peeling, and redness or discoloration.
Treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For this use, Plaquenil is prescribed for adults. SLE is a type of lupus that can affect your whole body. Symptoms of SLE vary from person to person and often change over time as the condition worsens. But common symptoms of SLE include fatigue (low energy), fever, hair loss, and a butterfly rash across the nose and cheeks.
Treat RA. For this use, Plaquenil can be prescribed for adults. RA is an autoimmune disease that typically affects your joints. Symptoms of RA include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. You may take Plaquenil along with other RA medications, such as steroids.
Plaquenil is a type of drug called an antimalarial. It isn’t known for sure how it works to prevent malaria or treat malaria, DLE, SLE, or RA.
* One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
Your doctor will explain how you should take Plaquenil. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Taking Plaquenil
Plaquenil comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.
Best time of day to take Plaquenil
There isn’t a best time of day to take Plaquenil. You’ll take each dose of Plaquenil with food or milk. For this reason, you may find it easiest to take Plaquenil at mealtimes.
It’s important to take your Plaquenil dose around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body so that the drug works better for your condition.
Accessible medication containers and labels
If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Plaquenil in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Taking Plaquenil with other drugs
When used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you may take Plaquenil along with other RA medications. This includes steroids, such as prednisone (Rayos). You may also take Plaquenil with salicylates, such as aspirin.
Your doctor will recommend the combination of drugs that’s best for you.
Questions about taking Plaquenil
Below are some questions about taking Plaquenil tablets.
- Can Plaquenil be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you shouldn’t chew, crush, or split Plaquenil tablets. You’ll swallow the tablets whole. If you have trouble swallowing Plaquenil tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Should I take Plaquenil with food? Yes, you’ll take Plaquenil with food or milk.
- Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
- How will Plaquenil affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
Before taking Plaquenil, it’s important to discuss a few things with your doctor. This includes other medical conditions you have and other medications you take. You should also discuss your overall health.
These factors and others are described below in more detail.
Interactions
Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Before taking Plaquenil, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Plaquenil.
Interactions with drugs or supplements
Plaquenil can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:
- other antimalarial drugs
- antiarrhythmic drugs, including digoxin (Lanoxin) and amiodarone (Pacerone)
- drugs that affect a certain part of your heart rhythm called the QT interval, including:
- the mood disorder drugs haloperidol and quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR)
- the tricyclic antidepressantamitriptyline
This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Plaquenil. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of Plaquenil.
Warnings
Plaquenil may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Plaquenil.
Your doctor may not prescribe Plaquenil if you have certain contraindications. A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing the drug due to risk of harm.
Factors to consider before taking Plaquenil include those in the list below.
- Eye problems, such as macular degeneration. While rare, treatment with Plaquenil can cause serious eye problems.* If you have an eye condition, such as macular degeneration, you may have a higher risk of eye problems from taking Plaquenil. Talk with your doctor about whether Plaquenil is safe for you to take.
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you have G6PD deficiency. G6PD is a protein that helps your red blood cells work properly. If you have this condition, taking Plaquenil could cause your red blood cells to burst. Your doctor will let you know if Plaquenil is safe for you to take.
- Heart problems. If you have a heart problem, talk with your doctor before taking Plaquenil. The drug can cause certain heart problems, such as irregular heart rhythm or cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle). Your risk of these side effects may be higher if you already have heart problems before starting the drug. Your doctor can tell you if it’s safe to take Plaquenil.
- Kidney problems. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. They may need to give you a lower dose of the drug than usual. Also, having kidney problems can increase your risk of retinal toxicity* as a side effect of Plaquenil. Your doctor can recommend if it’s safe for you to take Plaquenil.
- Liver problems. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you have liver problems. They may need to give you a lower dose of the drug than usual.
- Low blood cell counts. Plaquenil can cause certain blood disorders, such as low levels of platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Before taking Plaquenil, your doctor may check your levels of these blood cells. If you already have low levels before starting the drug, your doctor can recommend if Plaquenil is right for you.
- Low electrolyte levels. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you have low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood. These conditions could increase your risk of certain heart problems with Plaquenil. Your doctor will likely give you treatments to increase your magnesium or potassium levels before you start taking Plaquenil.
- Mental health conditions. In rare cases, Plaquenil can cause certain mental health problems. Examples include mood changes, new or worsened depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Before taking Plaquenil, tell your doctor if you have a history of mental health conditions. They can recommend if Plaquenil is right for you.
- Porphyria or psoriasis. If you have porphyria or psoriasis, taking Plaquenil could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor about whether Plaquenil is safe for you to take.
- Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Plaquenil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Plaquenil. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section above.
Plaquenil and alcohol
There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol while taking Plaquenil.
But both Plaquenil and alcohol may cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol while taking Plaquenil may increase your risk of this side effect.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about the amount that’s safe for you to drink while taking the drug.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It isn’t known for sure if Plaquenil is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed while taking Plaquenil, talk with your doctor. They can advise if it’s safe for you to take the drug.
If you do take Plaquenil while pregnant, consider enrolling in a pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect information about the safety of a drug when used during pregnancy. To learn more, call 877-311-8972 or talk with your doctor.
Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.
Plaquenil is available as a generic drug called hydroxychloroquine. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know about taking generic hydroxychloroquine.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit Medicine Assistance Tool’s website to see if they have support options.
And you can check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
You may wonder how Plaquenil compares with certain alternatives. Below we describe two other drugs with similar uses. Be sure to talk with your doctor to see which treatment option is right for you.
Plaquenil vs. chloroquine
To learn how Plaquenil and chloroquine are similar and different, check out this detailed comparison.
Plaquenil vs. Humira
If you’d like to know about Plaquenil versus Humira, see this side-by-side comparison.
Do not take more Plaquenil than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. In rare cases, overdose with Plaquenil can be life threatening.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- heart problems, such as irregular heart rhythm
- low blood pressure
- low potassium level in the blood
- seizures
- vision problems, such as temporary blindness
- central nervous system depression
- coma
What to do in case you take too much Plaquenil
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Plaquenil. You can also call call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you have malaria, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor may prescribe Plaquenil for you. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking this drug.
You can find more information about Plaquenil’s side effects in this article. And for details about Plaquenil’s dosages, see this article.
Here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor about Plaquenil:
- Will Plaquenil affect my hearing or cause ear problems?
- Will Plaquenil interact with any medications I’m taking?
- Should I use other treatments for my condition while taking Plaquenil?
To learn more about Plaquenil, see these articles:
- All About Plaquenil’s Dosage
- Side Effects of Plaquenil: What You Need to Know
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Austra Health’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Q:
Will Plaquenil affect my liver?
A:
It’s not known for sure whether taking Plaquenil can affect your liver.
Plaquenil and its generic version, hydroxychloroquine, have been used for decades. In that time, there have been two published reports of sudden liver failure in people taking hydroxychloroquine.
But if you have a condition called porphyria, Plaquenil can cause sudden liver damage if taken in high doses. Due to this risk, doctors often avoid prescribing Plaquenil to people with porphyria.
If you have additional questions about Plaquenil and whether it can affect your liver or other organs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The Austra Health Pharmacist Team Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Austra Health has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.