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Showing posts with the label Hydroxychloroquine

Is Hydroxychloroquine useful ?

WHAT IS HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE(HCQ)? It is a derivative of chloroquine that has both antimalarial and antiinflammatory activities and is now most often used as an antirheumatological agent in systemic lupus erthematosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is only found in individuals who have taken this drug. As an antirheumatic , hydroxychloroquine  is thought to act as a mild immunosuppressant,inhibiting the production of rheumatoid factor and acute phase reactants. It is also a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It regulates the activity of the immune system, which amy be overactive in some conditions.  IS IT SAFE? Hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for symptoms of lupus. Anew investigation analyzed the retinal changes over a five year period in people with lupus and did not find clinically relevant retinal changes in the group. Thus the study concludes thst this is safe for long term use at doses <5mg/kg/day. ROLE OF HYDROXY...