Anti-Infective Agent

Recently Answered

• QHow often should I be examined by an ophthalmologist if I take Plaquenil?

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  A Dr. Wayne Bizer , Ophthalmology, answered on behalf of American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart

  Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is a very important medication in the prevention and treatment of malaria and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It can do great things for you and can do serious things to you, including permanently reducing the clearness of your vision. Your prescribing doctor will likely advise you to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) as you begin taking Plaquenil to try to protect you from any eye complications. The damage that Plaquenil causes to your eyes cannot be reversed, so it is most important to catch any eye problems early, but stopping the medication will almost always stop any progression of blurred vision.

  
  The amount of Plaquenil required to cause these problems is somewhat dose-related, and therefore the frequency of problems goes up with the number of years and daily dosage taken. Your eye doctor will want to get photographs of your retinas, perform side-vision testing and color-vision testing, and measure your best vision level as you begin your Palquenil treatment. Your doctor will want to repeat these tests at various intervals, often every six months.

  
  All this being said, Plaquenil damage to the eyes is very rare. You should carefully discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your prescribing physician and eye doctor.

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• QWhat is hydroxychloroquine?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) was developed to treat malaria, but was later found to be an effective disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It is taken as daily tablets. It is mainly given as a second or third DMARD for people with very active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or whose RA is still active while taking methotrexate. But it is sometimes given as the first DMARD for people with low RA disease activity. It must be taken for weeks or months before it reaches full effect.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
   
• QWhat should I know about hydroxychloroquine before taking it?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Hydroxychloroquine should not be taken for prolonged periods by children.
  
  If you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, impaired kidney function, or impaired liver function, hydroxychloroquine may not be a good option for you.
  
  Hydroxychloroquine can cause dermatitis, psoriasis, and porphyria or make these conditions worse.
  
  If you have retinopathy, you should not take hydroxychloroquine.
  
  If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you should not take hydroxychloroquine.
  
  If you are breastfeeding, be aware that hydroxychloroquine is passed into breast milk and may not be a good option for you.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat side effects does hydroxychloroquine cause?

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  A MediGuard answered

  Based on information from iGuard.org, a free medication monitoring service, 13% of patients experience side effects while taking Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). Some of the side effects reported by iGuard members include: Grogginess/Confusion, Nausea/Vomiting, Mood/Behavior Changes, Abdominal Pain/Cramps, Vision Changes, and Itch/Rash. Please follow up with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms that worsen or do not go away.

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• QWhat medications does hydroxychloroquine interact with?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are taking digoxin, hydroxychloroquine may not be a good option for you.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QHow effective is hydroxychloroquine for treating rheumatoid arthritis?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Hydroxychloroquine has not been studied as much as other DMARDs. For people with RA, it seems to be slightly less effective than methotrexate and other DMARDs for reducing inflammation and immune system activity that leads to joint damage.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat is MetroCream?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  MetroCream (metronidazole) is a prescription topical cream that treats rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness. MetroCream is an antibacterial, antiprotozoal cream that reduces inflammation and lessens redness. MetroCream is the brand name for this drug. The generic name is metronidazole.
   
• QWhat should I know about primaquine before taking it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Before taking primaquine, you should know that it can cause temporary changes in vision, so use caution when driving. You may also feel dizzy or drowsy. You should also monitor the color of your urine. If it becomes darker, you need to notify your physician. During treatment take precautions against mosquitoes, the main carriers of malaria. Primaquine also may cause heart rhythm changes in people with heart disease or heart rhythm disorders. Your doctor may give you tests to monitor your heart while you are taking primaquine.
• QAre there any risks in taking primaquine?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  The main risk associated with using primaquine is hemolytic anemia. This form of anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in the blood is insufficient. Symptoms of this disorder include dark urine, shortness of breath, jaundice, fatigue, fever, and rapid heartbeat. If not treated, hemolytic anemia can lead to death by causing the cardiovascular system to fail. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms while taking primaquine.
  
  Primaquine also may cause heart rhythm changes in people with heart disease or heart rhythm disorders. Your doctor may give you tests to monitor your heart while you are taking primaquine. 
• QWhat should I know about Aralen before taking it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Aralen (chloroquine) may cause a variety of strange side effects, including different types of visual problems. These include blurry or misty vision and difficulty focusing. If you are taking Aralen you should slowly return to performing activities requiring good vision and coordination, such as driving. Long-term or high-dose usage of similar drugs has caused irreversible vision loss in some patients. Before you take Aralen, you should discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, since the drug may affect you differently based on different conditions you have or have had. Also, be sure to discuss the possibility of changes in your vision.