Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects
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HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SIDE EFFECTS; This drug is classified as an anti-malarial medication, and is one of a number of drugs which have been used for many years in the treatment of malaria. It is useful in treating systemic lupus erythematosus as well as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's Syndrome. While hydroxychloroquine has been known for some time to decrease lysosomal pH in antigen presenting cells, its mechanism of action in inflammatory conditions has been recently elucidated and involves blocking the activation of toll-like receptors on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Toll-like receptor 9, which recognizes DNA-containing immune complexes leads to the production of interferon and causes the dendritic cells to mature and present antigen to T cells. Hydroxychloroquine, by decreasing TLR signaling reduces the activation of dendritic cells, thus mitigating the inflammatory process.
Hydroxychloroquine is also widely used in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease, in combination with macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin. It is thought that the hydroxychloroquine raises the pH in cellular vacuoles in which semi-dormant Lyme spirochaetes live, allowing the effect the macrolide to suppress protein synthesis by the spirochaetes.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
dizziness
loss of appetite
upset stomach
diarrhea
stomach pain
vomiting
skin rash
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
reading or seeing difficulties
sensitivity to light
blurred distance vision
seeing light flashes or streaks
difficulty hearing
ringing in ears
muscle weakness
bleeding or bruising of the skin
bleaching or loss of hair
mood or mental changes
irregular heartbeat
drowsiness
convulsions
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...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!

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