How toxic is an old friend? A review of the safety of hydroxychloroquine in clinical practice

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its close relative chloroquine (CQ) were initially used as antimalarial agents but are now widely prescribed in rheumatology, dermatology and immunology for the management of autoimmune diseases. HCQ is considered to have a better long‐term safety profile than CQ and is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Internal medicine journal 2023-03, Vol.53 (3), p.311-317
Main Authors: Fairley, Jessica L., Nikpour, Mandana, Mack, Heather G., Brosnan, Maria, Saracino, Amanda M., Pellegrini, Marc, Wicks, Ian P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse effects
Antimalarial agents
Antirheumatic Agents - adverse effects
Autoimmune diseases
cardiotoxicity
Chloroquine
Chloroquine - adverse effects
Connective tissue diseases
Connective tissues
COVID-19
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Friends
Humans
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine - adverse effects
Immunomodulation
Immunosuppression
Inflammation
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy
retinopathy
Review
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatology
safety
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Toxicity
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Summary:Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its close relative chloroquine (CQ) were initially used as antimalarial agents but are now widely prescribed in rheumatology, dermatology and immunology for the management of autoimmune diseases. HCQ is considered to have a better long‐term safety profile than CQ and is therefore more commonly used. HCQ has a key role in the treatment of connective tissue diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where it provides beneficial immunomodulation without clinically significant immunosuppression. HCQ can also assist in managing inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Debate around toxicity of HCQ in COVID‐19 has challenged those who regularly prescribe HCQ to discuss its potential toxicities. Accordingly, we have reviewed the adverse effect profile of HCQ to provide guidance about this therapeutic agent in clinical practice.
ISSN:1444-0903
1445-5994
DOI:10.1111/imj.15908