Antibiotics · Antimalarial / DMARD
Hydroxychloroquine
Dose
200–400 mg PO OD (≤5 mg/kg actual weight)
Mechanism
Lysosomal alkalinisation, immunomodulation
Indications
- • SLE
- • Rheumatoid arthritis
- • Discoid lupus
Contraindications
- • Retinal / visual field disease
Use
Steroid-sparing in autoimmune disease.
Monitoring
Annual ophthalmology screening from 5 y of use; baseline OCT.
Side effects
- • Retinopathy (irreversible)
- • QT prolongation
- • GI upset
- • Skin pigmentation
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
