Hydroxychloroquine (brand name Plaquenil) side effects vary from mild, more frequent problems like headache, nausea, stomach discomfort, and nausea to more serious, rare issues like heart issues and muscle weakness, as well as convulsions. The risk of developing side effects can increase when taking higher doses and prolonged treatment.
How Common Are Plaquenil Side Effects?
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hydroxychloroquine has been identified as “a relatively well-tolerated medicine.” The organization declared that the most commonly reported minor side effects, such as nausea and stomach pain, headache, and vomiting, could be alleviated by taking the medication in conjunction with food. Drinking milk with the drug could also be beneficial.
As per Brigham and Women’s Hospital, most side effects are gone once the patient’s body is accustomed to the drug.
Some adverse consequences, such as eye problems, can be a result of dose-dependence. The risk of developing an eye injury increases with the amount of medicine someone is taking and the long-term usage.
Indeed, the U.S. drug label doesn’t explain what commonly side effects occur due to the lack of clinical trial data. Plaquenil’s Canadian monograph provides more details about the frequency of side effects.
FACT
The most frequently reported side effects for Plaquenil are stomach pain, nausea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. They can be less severe by taking medicine in combination with milk or food.
As per the Canadian monograph, widespread side effects are seen at a rate of more than 10% of the population. Common side effects can be found in 1 percentage to less than 10% of those. Rare side effects can be found on 0.1 rates to less than 1 percent of the population.
Rare side effects can be found within 0.01 percent to 0.1 percent of individuals. Infrequent side effects are seen within just 0.01 percent of the population.
This is not a comprehensive list of the possible adverse effects. Consult your physician when you notice any strange side effects following taking Hydroxychloroquine.
Very Common Side Effects
The side effects that fall under this category tend to be mild and are generally not harmful. The monograph advises patients to consult their physician only in the event of serious.
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Stomach cramps
Common Side Effects
These adverse reactions can be mild or severe. The monograph advises that patients inform the health professional in all instances.
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• A rash or itchy skin
• Appetite loss
• Changes in mood and nervousness
• Visual Troubles with Vision (blurred vision as well as seeing halos around lights Night blindness, difficulties in focusing your eyes, blind spots, and many more)
• Vomiting
Rare Side Effects
These are not common, and the monograph recommends patients inform their physician about any issues they suffer from these symptoms.
• Vertigo, dizziness, or vertigo
• Bleaching of hair
• Loss of hair on your head and other body organs (alopecia)
• Muscle and nerve problems (numbness or tingling muscles, weakness, pain, trouble walking or standing, shaking)
• Earrings that ring or hearing loss
• Skin color changes
Warnings and Precautions
Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended for patients suffering from certain conditions or taking certain medications.
Use in conjunction with certain medicines.
Patients taking Hydroxychloroquine must inform their physician about all medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies they are taking, particularly acetaminophen and iron-containing medicines or multivitamins Lanoxin (digoxin), Nydrazid (isoniazid), Rheumatrex (methotrexate), and Rifadin (rifampin) as per to U.S. National Library of Medicine.
FACT
There are a few instances of psychiatric disorders, such as suicidal behaviors, in patients taking Plaquenil.