HYQ 400 TAB

INTRODUCTION

HYQ 400MG TABLET contains Hydroxychloroquine which belongs to the group of medicines called Antimalarials or Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). It is used to prevent and treat malarial infections in adults and children. Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by the plasmodium parasite, which spreads in blood by the bite of an infectious mosquito. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, body pain and general discomfort.

It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus in adults and to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children. Also, it is used to treat skin problems (which are sensitivity to sunlight).

Rheumatoid arthritis, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus is an inflammatory autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks its own body cells. It is generalized by symptoms such as painful swelling, stiffness, swelling, tenderness or weakness of bone joints, weakness, fever, skin rashes and anaemia, etc.

HYQ 400MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with maculopathy or retinal disorder of the eye and changes in eye colour, etc. Your doctor may recommend you to take relevant tests to understand your existing condition.

Before taking HYQ 400MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have heart disease, psoriasis or porphyria, blood disorders (such as aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia or thrombocytopenia) glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, psychological disorders, abnormal blood sugar levels, etc.

HYQ 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women only if advised by the doctor. HYQ 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in children and elderly patients (aged 65 years and above).

The most common side effects of taking HYQ 400MG TABLET are nausea, vomiting, loose stools, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite and skin rashes. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen.

USES OF HYQ 400MG TABLET

• Prevents and treats malarial infection in adults and children
• Treats rheumatoid arthritis, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Treats skin problems (which are sensitive to sunlight)
• Treats juvenile idiopathic arthritis

HOW HYQ 400MG TABLET WORKS

HYQ 400MG TABLET works by increasing the potential of Hydrogen (pH) in a cell which disrupts the survival of infectious organisms and it also decreases the release of inflammatory enzymes. As a result, HYQ 400MG TABLET treats malarial infections in children and adults, it also treats rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus in adults.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take HYQ 400MG TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water and do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose, duration and frequency for you depending on your age, body weight and disease conditions.

SIDE EFFECTS OF HYQ 400MG TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or vomiting:

Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller meals more frequently. Keep a heating pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, consult your doctor.

Loss of appetite:

Eat when you are hungry. Eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Eat a nutritious snack that is rich in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts. Consult your doctor immediately if the symptoms worsen or persist.

Skin rash:

Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before taking HYQ 400MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Insulin, sulfonylureas such as glimepiride, meglitinide, thiazolidinedione such as pioglitazone, metformin (used to treat diabetes)
• Digoxin, amiodarone (used to treat heart disease)
• Azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin and  moxifloxacin (used to treat bacterial infections)
• Cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
• Neostigmine and pyridostigmine (used to treat myasthenia gravis and muscle weakness)
• Tamoxifen (used to treat eye infections)
• Halofantrine, mefloquine (used to treat malarial infection)
• Amisulpride, quetiapine, risperidone (used to treat psychiatric disorders)
• Rabies vaccine (used to prevent rabies)
• Ciclosporin (used to prevent organ transplant rejection)
• Praziquantel (used to treat worm infections)
• Agalsidase (used to treat fabry’s disease)
• Carbamazepine, sodium valproate, topiramate (used to treat fits or seizures)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes more of HYQ 400MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit a nearby hospital immediately if the symptoms worsen. The symptoms may include abnormal or low blood pressure, low potassium levels in the blood, abnormal heartbeat, depression, seizures, impaired vision, transient blindness, cardiac arrest, coma or death.