You may have heard of hydroxychloroquine, but are not sure exactly what it is, and what it is used for. Don’t worry, because we’re going to go over that and more in this blog post, so you should keep reading.

Coronavirus

The coronavirus is a new virus that causes respiratory disease in humans and can spread from person to person. Respiratory disease is an infection or inflammation of the lungs, which are organs that help you breathe. A virus is a tiny organism that can make you sick by infecting your body and multiplying within it. A person is an animal with a brain, heart, blood vessels, bones, skin, and other parts that make up the body.

The first reported cases of the COVID-19 virus were announced by China on December 1, 2019. This announcement came after several people became ill with symptoms similar to those caused by other viruses like the common cold or influenza (the flu).

SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name for COVID-19. It’s a coronavirus, which is a virus that infects your respiratory and digestive systems. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) was an outbreak of coronaviruses that spread through South Korea in 2002 and 2003, eventually reaching 38 countries by causing 8,273 infections and 774 deaths globally.

Coronaviruses are named after their crown-like appearance under a microscope—they have four short spikes surrounding their surface which resemble the points on a crown. They can cause respiratory illnesses such as colds or pneumonia, but they’re also known to cause severe illnesses like MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), SARS, HCV-229E (Harmful Coronavirus 229E), avian flu viruses H5N1 and H7N9, swine flu viruses H1N1 and H3N2 and canine hepatitis virus C1Bravo/HZN159A*.

How is it spread?

A coronavirus is a group of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. Coronaviruses are named for their crown-like appearance on an electron microscope. They can be spread to humans through contact with animals, or by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Masks have been shown to slow the spread of this virus.

Most people who get infected with a coronavirus will not have symptoms, but some may experience cold-like symptoms such as fever and cough, or shortness of breath. If you have these signs and symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away so they can make sure you are not ill from COVID-19!

What is hydroxychloroquine used for?

Hydroxychloroquine is a synthetic drug, which means it is not found in nature. It is not an antibiotic or steroid, and it does not act as a hormone or vitamin. It does not occur naturally in food either; therefore, you should never eat hydroxychloroquine tablets without consulting your physician first!

It belongs to a group of medications known as antimalarials. It is used alone or in combination with other anti-arthritic medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints.

Hydroxychloroquine side effects

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. When many medications are used at the same time, the chances of side effects increase even more!

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissue and organs. Symptoms include inflammation in the joints and organs, dry eyes, and extreme fatigue.

It is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, blood cells, and other organs. It can be difficult to diagnose because it has similar symptoms to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS).

If you have lupus you may experience:

  • Fatigue for no clear reason
  • Painful sunburns after just one exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity)

Hydroxychloroquine and foods

As a general rule, you can take hydroxychloroquine with food. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how to take your medication with meals and snacks.

Check the label of your hydroxychloroquine to see if it contains any of these ingredients:

  • Milk (or other dairy products)
  • Alcohol (beer, wine)
  • Grapefruit juice

How to calculate the hydroxychloroquine dose?

The required dose basically depends only on the weight of the patient. You can insert your own custom daily dose, however, that is not recommended. As well as the dose, the calculator will also give you an estimation of the risk of retinopathy for your patient.

End note

If you have any concerns about your treatment, please speak to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. If you think that a drug is having a negative effect on you, it’s important for you to talk with your doctor as soon as possible. But remember: don’t stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your physician or nurse practitioner.

FAQ

What does hydroxychloroquine do?

Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of drugs called antimalarials. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria.

Does hydroxychloroquine cause hair loss?

In some patients, hair loss was confirmed as the result of hydroxychloroquine.

Does hydroxychloroquine cause weight gain?

Abnormal weight gain is a side effect of long-term hydroxychloroquine use.