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home > drugs a-z list > plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) drug center > plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) drug - clinical pharmacology
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Plaquenil
Systemic lupus erythematosus facts
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease.
- SLE is characterized by the production of unusual antibodies in the blood.
- SLE is eight times more common in women than men.
- The cause(s) of SLE is (are) unknown, however, heredity, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs all may play some role.
- Up to 10% of people with lupus isolated to the skin will develop the systemic form of lupus (SLE).
- Eleven criteria help doctors to diagnose SLE.
- Treatment of SLE is directed toward decreasing inflammation and/or the level of autoimmune activity.
- People with SLE can prevent "flares" of disease by avoiding sun exposure and not abruptly discontinuing medications and monitoring their condition with their doctor.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus? What are the types of lupus?
Lupus is...
Plaquenil
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS
The drug possesses antimalarial actions and also exerts a beneficial effect in lupus erythematosus (chronic discoid or systemic) and acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis. The precise mechanism of action is not known.
MALARIA
Like chloroquine phosphate, USP, PLAQUENIL (hydroxychloroquine) is highly active against the erythrocytic forms of P. vivax and malariae and most strains of P. falciparum (but not the gametocytes of P. falciparum).
PLAQUENIL (hydroxychloroquine) does not prevent relapses in patients with vivax or malariae malaria because it is not effective against exo-erythrocytic forms of the parasite, nor will it prevent vivax or malariae infection when administered as a prophylactic. It is highly effective as a suppressive agent in patients with vivax or malariae malaria, in terminating acute attacks, and significantly lengthening the interval between treatment and relapse. In patients with falciparum malaria, it abolishes the acute attack and effects complete cure of the infection, unless due to a resistant strain of P. falciparum.
Last reviewed on RxList: 10/4/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
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