Hydroxychlor Side Effects

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of hydroxychlor are not normally serious in nature. Patients using Plaquenil may experience headaches and dizziness. Users may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite and weight loss. A general feeling of itching is also common in patients taking hydroxychlor.

Hydroxychlor also has the potential to cause other less common side effects. While some of these effects are unpleasant or alarming, they are temporary in nature and disappear once usage of the drug stops. Neurologic effects such as irritability, nervousness, moodiness, twitching of the eyes and nightmares are possible while taking hydroxychlor. Some patients report issues affecting the skin, such as loss of hair, lightening of hair and darkening of skin. Also, patients may report throat soreness, ringing in the ears and a general feeling of weakness while taking hydroxychlor.

In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, hydroxychlor has the potential to cause serious medical complications that have long-lasting ramifications. Plaquenil can affect the eyes in some patients, with problems ranging from difficulty reading and blurred vision to swelling of the cornea and partial blindness. Often, the damage to the eyes is irreversible. In some patients, hydroxychlor causes liver failure. Rarely, patients taking Plaquenil for a long period of time experience muscle weakness and loss of reflexes.

Though rare, hydroxychlor has the potential to cause serious allergic reactions in some patients. Often, such reactions begin with hives and itching around the lips. The reaction sometimes quickly worsens, leading to swelling of the throat or breathing difficulty that is similar to an asthma attack. In some rare instances, Plaquenil can cause severe skin allergic reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Both of these conditions are life-threatening and require prompt medical attention. If you experience any signs of sensitivity to Plaquenil, seek emergency care.

Hydroxychlor can cause low birth weights and defects and typically is avoided during pregnancy. In addition, the drug is not approved for long-term use in people younger than 18. If you have liver disease or consume alcohol regularly, your doctor may prescribe another medication for you because of Plaquenil's effects upon the liver. In addition, people who have shown allergic reactions to antiprotozoan medications in the past are typically not treated with hydroxychlor. If your condition requires that you use Plaquenil for an extended period of time, you should have regular eye exams for early detection of any retinal damage.