• Acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis:
    • 400-600 mg per day OD/BD for 4-12 weeks
    • Used in conjunction with corticosteroids and salicylates.
    • Should not exceed 600mg per day.
  • Systemic and Discoid Lupus Erythematous (SLE):
    • 200-400 mg per day OD/BD
    • Not to exceed 400mg per day
  • Malaria prophylaxis:
    • 400mg weekly 2 weeks before exposure and continued 4 weeks after departure from endemic area.
  • Malaria treatment:
    • 800 mg STAT then 400 mg at 6hrs, 24hrs and 48hrs after initial dose.

Tablet: 200mg

  • To be given with food or milk.

Exact mechanism is unknown but it is thought to be a weak base and exert its effect by concentrating in the acid vesicles of the parasite and by inhibiting polymerization of heme which accumulates and is toxic to parasites.

It is a non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)

  • GI disturbances
  • Dizziness
  • Ataxia
  • Headache
  • Pruritus
  • Weight loss
  • Hair bleaching
  • Photosensitivity
  • Tinnitus
  • Vision changes
  • Hair loss
  • Hypotension
  • Myopathy
  • Neuropathy
  • Skin eruptions
  • Hypersensitivity to components
  • Retinal or visual field changes
  • History of QT prolongation
  • History of torsades de pointes
  • Bradycardia
  • Recent MI
  • CHF
  • Epilepsy
  • Psoriasis
  • Pregnancy
  • Cisapride
  • Hepatotoxic drugs

                                   Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category D; Contraindicated
Breastfeeding Contraindicated
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
HCQS 200mg Tablet 30’s IPCA Labs Sai Pharma