INTRODUCTION

HCQS 300MG contains Hydroxychloroquine which belongs to the group of medicines called antimalarials. It is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. (DMARD). Hydroxychloroquine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by reducing inflammation, pain, swelling and joint stiffness. It also improves the rash in patients with lupus. It is used in the treatment and prevention of malaria. Hydroxychloroquine interferes with the communication of cells in the immune system and hence is effective at treating autoimmune diseases. For malaria, this medicine works by killing the parasite that causes the infection.

Take this medicine as directed by your physician. It can be taken with or without food. The most common side effects of taking this medicine are headache, dizziness, diarrhoea or visual problems. Before taking this medicine inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or having any heart, kidney or liver disease. It is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking. Avoid grapefruit while taking this medicine.

USES OF HCQS 300MG

• Treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
• Prevent and treats malaria

HOW HCQS 300MG WORKS

HCQS 300MG works by suppressing the over activity of the immune system which causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It slows the progression of the underlying disease.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take this medicine as directed by your physician. It can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending upon your condition. Swallow the medicine as whole with a glass of water.

SIDE EFFECTS OF HCQS 300MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after meal and stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Diarrhea:

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. ORS should be used to prevent dehydration.

Dizziness:

Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the dizziness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

• medicines used to treat malaria (e.g chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine)
• medicines used to treat depression (e.g tricyclic antidepressants) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., antipsychotics)
• medicines used to treat heart conditions, cardiac arrhythmias (e.g digoxin)
• medicines used to treat diabetes (e.g anti-diabetic drugs, including insulin)
• medicines used to treat epilepsy or seizures
• medicines used for infections (e.g. aminoglycosides antibiotics, erythromycin)
• medicines used to treat muscle disorders (e.g neostigmine and pyridostigmine)
• medicine used to treat heartburn (e.g cimetidine)
• immunosuppressant medicines (e.g cyclosporine)
• medicines known as CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, aprepitant, fluconazole, clopidogrel, teriflunomide, letermovir)
• medicines to treat breast cancer (e.g tamoxifen) 

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT HCQS 300MG

Does HCQS 300MG reduce inflammation?

Yes, it is used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and also to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus.

What are the benefits of taking HCQS 300MG?

It can reduce pain, swelling and joint stiffness also improve rash in patients with lupus.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi MD. Anti-rheumatoid and Anti-gout Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology 7th ed. New Delhi, May 2013. Page – 210-211.

2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. Page -669-671.

3. Vinetz JM, Clain J, Bounkeua V, Eastman RT. Chemotherapy of Malaria. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, McGraw-Hill Medical 2011. Page - 402-405.

4. Vaneet K Sandhu. American College of Rheumatology. [Revised April 2020] [Accessed 27 Oct] https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/Hydroxychloroquine-Plaquenil-Fact-Sheet.pdf

5. Eva Schrezenmeier & Thomas Dorner. Mechanisms of action of Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine: implications for rheumatology. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, Feb 7 2020.  [Issue March 2020] [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41584-020-0372-x

6. Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. [Revised Aug 26 2019] [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] http://products.sanofi.ca/en/plaquenil.pdf

7. Great Western Hospitals, NHS. Dr Lyn Williamson/Daisy Stevens. Nov 2014 [Revised Nov 2016] [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/media/175833/hydroxychloroquine-leaflet-2014b.pdf