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|Plaquenil

Plaquenil

Plaquenil is used for:

Treating and suppressing acute attacks of certain strains of malaria, lupus erythematosus, and chronic rheumatoid arthritis. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Plaquenil is an aminoquinolone. It is thought to kill sensitive malaria parasites by stopping normal metabolism inside the parasite.

Do NOT use Plaquenil if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Plaquenil
• you have vision problems or retinal changes

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Plaquenil :

Some medical conditions may interact with Plaquenil . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have porphyria or any other blood disease
• if you have psoriasis, digestive system disease, liver disease, or a central nervous system disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Plaquenil . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Quinacrine because the side effects of that medicine may be increased
• Digoxin because the effects of that medicine may be increased
• Rabies vaccine or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because the effectiveness of these medicines may be deceased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Plaquenil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Plaquenil :

Use Plaquenil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Plaquenil with a meal or a glass of milk.
• If possible, preventative measures for malaria should begin 2 weeks before exposure and be continued for 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.
• If you are taking Plaquenil for lupus or arthritis, it may take from 4 to 12 weeks for Plaquenil to work.
• If you miss a dose of Plaquenil , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Plaquenil .

Important safety information:

• Plaquenil may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Plaquenil . Using Plaquenil alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If your symptoms do not improve after several months or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Contact your health care provider if you notice any muscle weakness or problems with vision or hearing. Your knee and ankle reflexes will be tested periodically.
• Plaquenil is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• LAB TESTS, such as complete blood cell counts and eye tests, may be needed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Plaquenil during pregnancy. Plaquenil is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Plaquenil .

Possible side effects of Plaquenil :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Appetite loss; clumsiness; diarrhea; dizziness; feeling of whirling motion; mild headache; nausea; stomach cramps; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; change in color or skin or inside of mouth; diarrhea; difficulty seeing and reading (words, letters, or parts of objects missing when reading); fever or sore throat; hair loss; hearing loss; mood changes; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to sunlight; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision problems; weight loss.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; excessive excitability; fainting; headache; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; mood changes; seizures; severe drowsiness or dizziness; slow, shallow breathing.

Store Plaquenil in a tightly closed container at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Plaquenil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Plaquenil , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Plaquenil is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Plaquenil . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.