Hydroxychloroquine: Uses, Side Effects, and Safety Guide
Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription medicine used to prevent and treat malaria and to help control rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It can reduce inflammation and immune-related symptoms, but it does not cure these conditions.
Take hydroxychloroquine exactly as prescribed and have regular eye checks, because rare retinal damage can occur. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about your dose, other medicines, and personal risks before starting or changing treatment.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- P01BA02
- Generic
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Class
- dmard
- Brands
- Plaquenil
- Availability
- rx
- Pregnancy
- C
- Lactation
- caution
- Half-life (h)
- 1200
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- CN, US, EU, JP
- Monitoring
- eye-exam, blood-count
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 400mg once daily or 200mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily or every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 6.5mg per kg of body weight per day
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- divided into 1 or 2 doses daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 200mg once daily, may increase to 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily or every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
8 groupspregnancy
first trimesteruse lowest effective dose
avoid use during pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks; continue if already receiving for autoimmune disease
regular prenatal care and fetal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
second third trimestermaintain current dose
can continue use for autoimmune diseases; benefits generally outweigh risks
routine prenatal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedingno adjustment needed
compatible with breastfeeding; monitor infant for symptoms
observe infant for unusual symptoms
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
geriatric
elderlyno specific adjustment; start low
use with caution due to increased cardiac risk; baseline ECG recommended
cardiac monitoring; regular ophthalmologic exams
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
juvenile arthritisweight-based dosing
approved for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children
regular ophthalmologic exams recommended
renal_impairment
mild moderateno adjustment needed
no dose adjustment for CrCl > 30 mL/min
periodic renal function monitoring
renal_impairment
severereduce dose by 25-50%
use with caution in severe renal impairment; monitor closely
frequent renal function monitoring and drug levels if available
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
hepatic_impairment
mild moderateno specific adjustment
use with caution; monitor liver function tests
baseline and periodic liver function tests
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
Drug classification
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to the DMARD drug class used for autoimmune conditions
FDA approval year
Year when Hydroxychloroquine was first approved for medical use in the United States
Primary autoimmune indications
Main conditions for which Hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed
Primary brand name
Main commercial brand name for Hydroxychloroquine
Drug interactions
1 documented interaction(s) with other medications in this knowledge base.
塞来昔布为中度CYP2D6抑制剂，可减少羟氯喹代谢，升高其血药浓度，增加QT间期延长、视网膜病变及心肌病等毒性风险
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 22, 2026. · Read our editorial policy