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Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 13, 2019.

OverviewSide Effects Dosag

Professional Managing Side Effects

For the Consumer

Applies to hydroxychloroquine: oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, hydroxychloroquine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydroxychloroquine:

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin

blurred vision or other vision changes

chest discomfort, pain, or tightness

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decreased urination

defective color vision

diarrhea

difficulty breathing

difficulty seeing at night

dizziness or fainting

fast, pounding, uneven heartbeat

feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior

feeling that others can hear your thoughts

feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

inability to move the eyes

increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

joint or muscle pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, and sex organs

loss of hearing

lower back or side pain

noisy breathing

painful or difficult urination

red irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

severe mood or mental changes

sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

sticking out of the tongue

stomach pain

swelling of the feet or lower legs

swollen or painful glands

trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing

uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs

unusual behavior

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual facial expressions

unusual tiredness or weakness

yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

Drowsiness

dry mouth

increased thirst

loss of appetite

mood changes

no pulse or blood pressure

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

unconsciousness

Some side effects of hydroxychloroquine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

irritability

nausea

nervousness

nightmares

sensation of spinning

shakiness and unsteady walk

uncontrolled eye movements

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

vomiting

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to hydroxychloroquine: compounding powder, oral tablet

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Cardiomyopathy (can result in fatal cardiac failure), biventricular hypertrophy[Ref]

Dermatologic

-Pigmentary changes in skin and mucous membranes, bleaching of hair, and alopecia are usually reversible when therapy is discontinued.

-AGEP should be distinguished from psoriasis, although this drug may precipitate attacks of psoriasis; it may be associated with fever and hyperleukocytosis[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pigmentary changes in skin and mucous membranes, bleaching of hair, alopecia

Frequency not reported: Urticaria, angioedema, bullous eruptions including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS syndrome) photosensitivity, exfoliative dermatitis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Abdominal pain, nausea

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Bone-marrow depression, anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal liver function tests

Frequency not reported: Fulminant hepatic failure[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions (urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm), hypersensitivity myocarditis[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia

Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, exacerbation or precipitation of porphyria[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sensorimotor disorders

Frequency not reported: Skeletal muscle myopathy or neuromyopathy (leading to progressive weakness and atrophy of proximal muscle groups), depression of tendon reflexes and abnormal nerve conduction studies[Ref]

Myopathy may be reversible after therapy discontinuation, but recovery may take many months.[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness

Frequency not reported: Seizure, vertigo, nerve deafness, ataxia[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retinopathy (with changes in pigmentation and visual field defects), corneal changes haloes (e.g., blurring of vision, photophobia)

Frequency not reported: Maculopathies and macular degeneration (may be irreversible), extra-ocular muscle palsies (reversible), nystagmus[Ref]

-Blurring of vision is due to a disturbance of accommodation which is dose dependent and reversible.

-Retinopathy is uncommon if the recommended daily dose is not exceeded. It is usually reversible if therapy is discontinued. If allowed to develop, there may be a risk of progression even after treatment withdrawal.

-Patients with retinal changes may be asymptomatic initially, or may have scotomatous vision with paracentral, pericentral ring types, temporal scotomas, and abnormal color vision.

-Corneal changes including edema and opacities can be symptomless or may cause disturbances such as haloes, blurring of vision or photophobia. They may be transient and are reversible when therapy is discontinued.

-Maculopathies and macular degeneration can occur from 3 months to several years of exposure to this drug and may be irreversible.[Ref]

Other

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus

Frequency not reported: Hearing loss[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Affect liability

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness

Frequency not reported: Psychosis, suicidal behavior[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm[Ref]

References

1. "Product Information. Plaquenil (R). (hydroxychloroquine)." Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY.

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0

2. "Product Information. Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate (hydroxychloroquine)." Prasco Laboratories, Cincinnati, OH.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

I already mentioned the main issue , rare but blindness : 600mg for 6 days, or 1000mg in the other study, does very slightly increase RISK OF BLINDNESS (retinal toxicity or retinopathy), just like the "half cured" in the movie "The Ωmega Man (1971)" : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067525/ Lots of web sites will tell you about studies of this drug sometimes damaging night vision.

I already mentioned the main issue , rare but blindness : 600mg for 6 days, or 1000mg in the other study, does very slightly increase RISK OF BLINDNESS (retinal toxicity or retinopathy), just like the "half cured" in the movie "The Ωmega Man (1971)" : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067525/ Lots of web sites will tell you about studies of this drug sometimes damaging night vision.