Description

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is a prescription medication used to prevent and treat malaria, as well as to treat certain autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.The recommended dosage for Plaquenil 200mg tablets is:                                                                                              Malaria Prevention:

• 400 mg (310 mg base) once weekly, starting 1-2 weeks before travel and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-endemic area.
• Weight-based dosing: 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base) once weekly, not to exceed 400 mg (310 mg base).

Acute Malaria Treatment:

• 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours after the initial dose.
• Weight-based dosing: 13 mg/kg (10 mg/kg base), not to exceed 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base), not to exceed 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• 400-600 mg/day (310-465 mg base/day) as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.
• When a good response is obtained, the dosage can be reduced to 200-400 mg/day (155-310 mg base/day) as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.

The 30-count bottle of Plaquenil 200mg tablets would provide a 15-day supply at the typical rheumatoid arthritis maintenance dose of 400 mg/day.

Indications and Uses

• Malaria Prevention: Prevents malaria in patients traveling to malaria-endemic areas.
• Acute Malaria Treatment: Treats acute malaria infections.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Used to manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dosage and Administration

Malaria Prevention

• Weight-Based Dosing: 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base) once weekly, not to exceed 400 mg (310 mg base).
• Fixed Dosing: 400 mg (310 mg base) once weekly.

Acute Malaria Treatment

• Weight-Based Dosing: 13 mg/kg (10 mg/kg base), not to exceed 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base), not to exceed 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours.
• Fixed Dosing: 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Weight-Based Dosing: 13 mg/kg (10 mg/kg base), not to exceed 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base), not to exceed 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours.
• Fixed Dosing: 400-600 mg/day (310-465 mg base/day) as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.

Supply Information

• Packaging: 30-count bottle.
• Duration of Supply: 15 days at the typical rheumatoid arthritis maintenance dose of 400 mg/day.

Important Notes

• Always follow the prescribed dosage and administration schedule.
• Consult a healthcare professional for specific guidance on usage and potential interactions

Key Benefits

• Prevents and treats malaria caused by mosquito bites
• Reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Decreases the number of disease flares and long-term damage in lupus patients
• Delays absorption of ultraviolet light, reducing skin problems in lupus

Key Ingredient

The active ingredient in Plaquenil is hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Hydroxychloroquine belongs to a class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).Plaquenil 200mg tablets are white, double-circle, film-coated tablets imprinted with “PLAQUENIL”. The recommended dosage varies based on the condition being treated:

• Malaria Prevention: 400 mg (310 mg base) once weekly
• Acute Malaria Treatment: 800 mg (620 mg base) initially, then 400 mg (310 mg base) at 6, 24, and 48 hours
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: 400-600 mg/day (310-465 mg base/day) as a single daily dose or divided into two doses

Plaquenil is not effective against all strains of malaria. It is not approved to treat lupus or rheumatoid arthritis in children under 18.                                                                                                                    Mechanism of action                                                                                                                                      Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that can decrease the pain and swelling of arthritis, preventing joint damage and long-term disability. Its exact mechanism of action is not fully clear, but the current thought is that it interferes with communication in the immune system.Hydroxychloroquine belongs to a class of medications known as antimalarials. When used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, it is considered a DMARD. DMARDs help manage the symptoms of these conditions by altering some functions within the immune system.The drug permeates into tissue and has a very long terminal half-life of 40-50 days. It is broken down into three main metabolites, with desethylhydroxychloroquine being the most common.While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, Plaquenil is thought to work by:

• Interfering with communication in the immune system
• Altering functions within the immune system to help manage autoimmune disease symptoms
• Permeating into tissue and having a long half-life to provide sustained effects

Hydroxychloroquine

Medication used to prevent and treat malaria and other conditions

More

Trade names

Plaquenil, others

Other names

HCQ

Primary Uses

Preventing and treating malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus