Hydroxychloroquine Uncovered: Exploring Benefits, Risks, and Long-Term Use
In Episode one we talked about one of the most important immunosuppressive drugs in rheumatology which is methotrexate. Today we will talk about another famous medication, Hydroxychloroquine, or HCQ and we rheumatologists like to name it.
This medication became more famous in the COVID-19 pandemic as the previous USA president Donald Trump said he takes hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus infection and encouraged people to try it.
What is Hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug that was originally developed to prevent and treat malaria. It has been found over the course of many years that this medication has a beneficial effect on various rheumatic diseases.
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When does the effect occur?
Most patients notice an improvement after 3 to 4 months. For some, it can take up to 6 months to feel any effect.
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How is hydroxychloroquine treatment carried out?
Hydroxychloroquine is only available as tablets. Generally, one to two tablets are prescribed daily
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How long is the treatment carried out?
It is necessary that treatment with HCQ is long-term. It only works if you take your tablets regularly. The treatment must be continued even and especially when you are feeling better. Otherwise, the illness can get worse again. Hydroxychloroquine should only be reduced or discontinued after consultation with a rheumatologist.
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What happens if the treatment doesn't work?
Only after about 6 months can it be assessed whether hydroxychloroquine has no effect. If the treatment does not work, your doctor will change the therapy
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Can side effects occur?
With any effective treatment, undesirable effects can occur. This also applies to therapy with hydroxychloroquine. However, this is a very well-tolerated medication with relatively few side effects. A blood test should be carried out at the start of treatment and then repeated at intervals of several months. An ophthalmological examination should also be carried out at the beginning of treatment, as in very rare cases hydroxychloroquine can cause changes in the retina. However, this generally only occurs after many years of treatment, especially if the dosage is too high or there are additional risk factors (certain other medications, severe impairment of kidney function, pre-existing retinal damage). If no risk factors are present, annual eye exams are recommended only after 5 years of taking hydroxychloroquine. If the above
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?If risk factors are present, the eyes should be examined annually from the start for possible retinal changes. In this way, any side effects that may occur can be recognized in good time and the necessary measures can be taken. The side effects usually disappear completely. Important to know: Not every side effect requires you to stop the therapy and most of the side effects mentioned in the leaflet are rare to very rare.
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What side effects can occur?
Most side effects are harmless. Some patients complain of nausea and vomiting. Others have a headache or dizziness or feel exceptionally tired.
These symptoms mainly occur in the first few weeks of treatment. It is therefore better if you take the tablets before going to bed. Sometimes itching or a rash occurs. Therefore, avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. If side effects are too bad, talk to your doctor about them
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Does hydroxychloroquine affect the eyes?
Sometimes - especially at the beginning of treatment - there are visual disturbances, such as blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These changes usually resolve after a short time and are harmless.
Retinal changes (see above) can very rarely occur during treatment with hydroxychloroquine. The ophthalmologist can use targeted examinations to detect these changes before any permanent damage occurs. Therefore, you should have the check-ups recommended above by an ophthalmologist.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding period
Hydroxychloroquine is used without any apparent risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding, even if the information leaflet provides slightly different information due to a few complications when the dosage is significantly too high. After consulting your doctor, the therapy can be continued during pregnancy and breastfeeding if this is necessary for your illness.
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Vaccinations:
Even when taking hydroxychloroquine, all vaccinations recommended by a doctor can and should be carried out.
For appointment call 8002211 or visit https://saudigerman.com/doctors/dr-moataz-abbara/
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Dental Technician | Dental Mechanic Course
12 个月Congratulations ??
General Practitioner of Medicine & Surgery
1 年For my sight of view coronavirus doesn’t need this drugs of this sde effect it needs only B-lactam to prevent only the secondary bacterial infection with the supportive drugs as they are taken in the usual influenza like ant inflammatory, anti pyretic, analgesics , anti congestion . And even cortisol is not nesessary to be administrated except in pillative symptoms of corona not respond to treatment to decrease inflammation . My point of view depend on that the result of my course of treatment will provide the same effect of hydroxycoloroquine and other drugs like it so the question is does the effect of hyroxycolorquine give the effect that make us give it to patients or not ?! And I think if the same patient is treated by hydroxycolorquine or the usual regimen of influenza treatment the result will be the same . I can prove my point of view threotically and in practise in shallah and thank you.