Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate and Heart disease

• Generic Name: hydroxychloroquine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Plaquenil, Quineprox

Prevention (prophylaxis) of malaria caused by Plasmodium malariae, P. ovale, chloroquine-susceptible P. vivax, and chloroquine-susceptible P. falciparum. Alternative when chloroquine is unavailable.

Treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by P. malariae, P. ovale, chloroquine-susceptible P. vivax, or chloroquine-susceptible P. falciparum. Alternative when chloroquine is unavailable.

Do not use for prevention or treatment of malaria in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported.

Active only against asexual erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium (not exoerythrocytic stages) and cannot prevent delayed primary attacks or relapse of P. ovale or P. vivax malaria or provide a radical cure; 14-day regimen of primaquine usually also indicated to eradicate hypnozoites and prevent relapse in patients exposed to or being treated for P. ovale or P. vivax malaria.

Information on risk of malaria in specific countries and mosquito avoidance measures and recommendations regarding whether prevention of malaria indicated and choice of antimalarials for prevention available from CDC.

Assistance with diagnosis or treatment of malaria available by contacting CDC Malaria Hotline at 770-488-7788 or 855-856-4713 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or CDC Emergency Operation Center at 770-488-7100 after hours and on weekends and holidays.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

One of several disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that can be used when DMARD therapy is appropriate.

Consider risk of severe and sometimes irreversible toxicity if used for prolonged periods in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Lupus Erythematosus

Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus. Used as an adjunct to corticosteroids and/or other appropriate therapy.

Consider risk of severe and sometimes irreversible toxicity if used for prolonged periods in treatment of lupus erythematosus.

Q Fever

Treatment of Q fever endocarditis caused by Coxiella burnetii; used in conjunction with doxycycline.

CDC recommends a 2- to 3-week regimen of doxycycline for treatment of acute Q fever, a 1-year regimen of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of acute Q fever in patients with preexisting valvular heart disease (to prevent progression of acute disease to endocarditis), and a 1.5- to 3-year regimen of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of chronic Q fever.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Polymorphous Light Eruptions

Has been used in treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda.

Has been effective in some cases when used in the treatment of polymorphous light eruptions.