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Plaquenil ( hye-drox-ee-KLOR-oh-kwin) belongs to the family of medicines called antiprotozoals. Protozoa are tiny, one-celled animals. Some are parasites that can cause many different kinds of infections in the body. Plaquenil is used to prevent and to treat malaria and to treat some conditions such as liver disease caused by protozoa. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus (lupus; SLE). Plaquenil may be given alone or with one or more other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Plaquenil is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form: Oral Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Plaquenil is in a class of drugs called antimalarials. It is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments. Plaquenil is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Plaquenil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. For prevention of malaria in adults, two tablets are usually taken once a week on exactly the same day of each week. The first dose is taken 1-2 weeks before traveling to an area where malaria is common, and then doses are continued for 8 weeks after exposure. For treatment of acute attacks of malaria in adults, four tablets are usually taken right away, followed by two tablets 6-8 hours later and then two tablets on each of the next 2 days. For prevention or treatment of malaria in infants and children, the amount of Plaquenil is based on the child's weight. Your doctor will calculate this amount and tell you how much Plaquenil your child should receive. For lupus erythematosus, one or two tablets are usually taken once or twice daily. For rheumatoid arthritis, one to three tablets are usually taken once a day. Plaquenil can be taken with a glass of milk or a meal to decrease stomach upset. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Plaquenil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking Plaquenil for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, your symptoms should improve within 6 months. If your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, stop taking the drug and call your doctor. Once you and your doctor are sure the drug works for you, do not stop taking Plaquenil without talking to your doctor. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will return if you stop taking Plaquenil. Brand names: - Hydroxychloroquine - Plaquenil |