HQ-Star (Hydroxychloroquine [HCQ] 200mg)

HQ-Star 200 mg Tablet, containing Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate 200 mg, is a prescription antimalarial and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) by Leeford Healthcare Ltd. Available in strips of 15 tablets, it treats malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other autoimmune conditions. Requires a prescription due to risks of retinal damage, heart rhythm issues, and severe hypoglycemia.

Uses

• Treats and prevents malaria in chloroquine-sensitive regions (e.g., Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae)

• Manages rheumatoid arthritis (reduces joint pain, swelling, stiffness)

• Treats systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)

• Manages autoimmune conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)

• Improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunctive, off-label)

Side Effects

• Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, blurred vision, skin rash

• Rare: Mood changes, itching, hair loss, pigmentation changes

• Serious: Retinal damage (vision loss), QT prolongation (heart rhythm issues), severe hypoglycemia, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), liver/kidney damage, suicidal ideation

Seek emergency help for vision changes, irregular heartbeat, or severe rash. Consult a doctor for persistent side effects.

How to Use HQ-Star 200 mg

• Dosage:

  • Malaria prevention: Adults: 400 mg weekly, starting 2 weeks before travel, continuing 4 weeks after. Children ≥31 kg: 6.5 mg/kg weekly (max 400 mg).

  • Malaria treatment: Adults: 800 mg initially, then 400 mg at 6, 24, 48 hours (total 2000 mg). Children ≥31 kg: 13 mg/kg initially, then 6.5 mg/kg at 6, 24, 48 hours (max 2000 mg).

  • Rheumatoid arthritis/SLE: Adults: 200–400 mg daily (≤5 mg/kg actual body weight).

• Administration: Swallow whole with food/milk to reduce stomach upset. Avoid antacids within 4 hours.

• Missed Dose: Take as soon as remembered unless near next dose; do not double dose.

• Overdose: Seek urgent help for symptoms like irregular heartbeat, seizures, or vision changes. Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222).

How Tablet Works

Hydroxychloroquine, a 4-aminoquinoline, raises lysosomal pH, disrupting parasite hemoglobin digestion in malaria and reducing immune overactivity in autoimmune diseases. It inhibits inflammatory cytokines and rheumatoid factor production, alleviating joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and skin lesions in SLE. May enhance insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Half-life ~40 days; effects may take 8–12 weeks.

Safety Advice

• Allergies: Avoid if allergic to Hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, or quinolones.

• Health Conditions: Contraindicated in retinal/macula disease, long QT syndrome, or pediatric patients <31 kg (200 mg tablet indivisible). Caution in diabetes, heart, liver, kidney, or G6PD deficiency.

• Drug Interactions:

  • Avoid with heart rhythm drugs (e.g., amiodarone, azithromycin).

  • Increased bleeding risk with Eliquis (Apixaban).

  • List all medications to doctor.

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Safe in pregnancy with low fetal risk; minimal breast milk excretion. Consult doctor.

• Driving: Avoid if vision blurred or dizzy.

• Alcohol: Avoid; may worsen liver or hypoglycemia risks.

• Storage: Store at 20–25°C, away from moisture, light, and children.