Plaquenil Coupon & Discounts

Plaquenil Information:

• What

What is Plaquenil?

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is an antimalarial medication, meaning that it is designed to treat and prevent acute malaria, a disease caused by parasites transmitted through a mosquito's bite. It has also been approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus (both discoid and systematic), but only if other medications have been ineffective. Plaquenil treats diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis by acting on immune cells. There may be other uses for Plaquenil not listed here.

• How

How do I take Plaquenil?

Always take this medication as prescribed and follow your doctor's instructions. Plaquenil should be taken by mouth with food or a glass (8oz) of milk.

Your dose and how often you need to take it will be determined by your doctor based on your age and what is being treated. In some cases involving malaria, you may be instructed to take 1 dose on 1 day each week. Other times you will only need to take this medication for a certain number of days, and the amount of your dose and how often it is taken changes. In some cases, you may be taking Plaquenil for months while in a high risk area.

For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, you will often need to take 1 dose daily at the same time every day. Follow your doctor’s instructions for your condition. If you are taking this medication to treat lupus, talk to your doctor if you do not see improvement after 6 months.

• Precautions

Before taking  Plaquenil, tell your doctor if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding or you plan to become pregnant or to breastfeed, as it is not known if this medication can harm your baby, and because pregnant women and children are at greater risk of death from malaria.
• You have previously taken an antimalarial medication and have had adverse reactions, especially involving your eyesight.
• You have any medical allergies.
• You have a G-6-PD deficiency.
• You have or have a history of liver disease or disorder, or if you have a history of or are currently an alcoholic.
• You have psoriasis or porphyria.
• You have already been exposed to malaria, or you have become ill while or after a stay in a high-risk area.
• You will be unable to have regular blood tests or eye exams for any reason.
• You regularly take antacids.
• You are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, medications, supplements, or vitamins, especially Kaopectate or antacids, birth control, acetaminophen, antibiotics or antifungals, blood pressure or cholesterol medications, cancer medications, arthritis medications, psychiatric or seizure medications, HIV/AIDS medications, NSAIDs, or any other medication that affects the liver.
• Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of taking Plaquenil?

Some Plaquenil side effects are severe and require immediate emergency medical attention. These include: vision problems (light sensitivity, halos around lights, blurred or double vision), retina damage (inability to focus, flashing or streaks of light in your vision, swelling, eye color changes), allergic reactions (swelling in the face or lips, swelling in the tongue or throat, hives, difficulty breathing), seizures, confusion, unusual thoughts or changes in behavior, loss of balance, loss of coordination, uncontrolled movements or twitching, muscle weakness, unusually pale skin,  unusually easy bruising or bleeding.

Common side effects only require medical attention if they persist or worsen. Common side effects of Plaquenil include: mood changes, anxiety or nervousness, irritability, ringing in your ears, headache, spinning sensation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, weight loss, rash with itching, hair loss.

• Missed Dose

What if I forget to take a dose of Plaquenil?

Never take extra medication to make up for a missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed dose. Otherwise, you may take the missed dose of Plaquenil as soon as you remember it.

• Storage

How do I store Plaquenil?

Always keep this medication at room temperature and away from excess moisture, heat, or light (e.g., a bathroom). Since children are more susceptible to overdose than adults, always keep this medication out of the reach of children and in a child safe container.

• Overdose

What happens if I overdose on Plaquenil?

An overdose of this medication can be fatal, and an overdose must be treated immediately. Symptoms of a Plaquenil overdose include: seizures, shallow breathing which might stop, slowed heart rate, a heavy feeling or chest pain, other pain that spreads to the shoulder or arm, headache, drowsiness, vision changes, sweating, and nausea.

If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. You may be told to induce vomiting; always follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

• Additional Info

Warnings

This medication can cause serious vision problems including retina damage, especially over an extended period of time. Always keep physician, lab, and eye exam appointments to ensure you are reacting well to Plaquenil and your vision is not being damaged. If you experience vision changes, call your doctor immediately.

No medication can ever be 100% effective at preventing malaria. Always supplement your Plaquenil treatment with appropriate lifestyle changes in high risk areas (e.g., protective clothes, bug repellant, bed netting).

If you experience diarrhea, vomiting, or fever while taking this medication for malaria, talk to your doctor.

Brand Names

While a generic is available for Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), there are currently no other brand name drugs for this medication on the market. Because the uses for Plaquenil are so narrow, the retail Plaquenil cost is high.  Click the link Claim Discount to download or print your free Plaquenil coupon or discount card and save 88% at your local pharmacy.