Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine[edit | edit source]
Hydroxychloroquine is a medication used primarily for the prevention and treatment of certain types of malaria. It is also used in the management of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Hydroxychloroquine is a derivative of chloroquine, a drug that has been used for many years in the treatment of malaria.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Hydroxychloroquine is used in the treatment of several conditions:
- Malaria: It is effective against the malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. However, it is not effective against Plasmodium falciparum strains that are resistant to chloroquine.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Hydroxychloroquine is used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): It helps to control symptoms such as skin rashes, joint pain, and fatigue in patients with lupus.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Hydroxychloroquine works by interfering with the communication of cells in the immune system. It is thought to inhibit the action of certain enzymes and pathways that are involved in the inflammatory process. In malaria, it interferes with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of hydroxychloroquine include nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. More serious side effects can include vision changes, muscle weakness, and heart problems. Long-term use of hydroxychloroquine can lead to retinopathy, which can cause permanent damage to the retina and vision loss.
Synthesis[edit | edit source]
The synthesis of hydroxychloroquine involves several chemical reactions. The process begins with the preparation of 4,7-dichloroquinoline, which is then reacted with 4-N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminopentane to form hydroxychloroquine. The synthesis is depicted in the accompanying diagram.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Drug groups | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | Cancer drugs | OTC | Alternative meds | Drugs | Medications A-Z | FDA approved products | Portal:Pharmacology
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
