Hydroxychloroquine, more commonly known as Plaquenil, is an antimalarial drug used to prevent or treat symptoms of various types of malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. It works by suppressing the growth of the malaria parasite and stopping it from multiplying in your body and triggering inflammation in your joints. Hydroxychloroquine tablets are usually prescribed to people who are at high risk of developing serious complications if they contract malaria, including tourists, immigrants, and military personnel stationed in areas with a high incidence of malaria transmission. Here are seven benefits that you can enjoy if you start taking hydroxychloroquine tablets.
1) Uveitis
This is a type of eye disease that occurs when white blood cells attack healthy tissue in your eyes. It’s common among people with rheumatoid arthritis and can be treated with hydroxychloroquine tablets. This drug helps to reduce inflammation caused by certain immune disorders, like lupus or multiple sclerosis, that affect your vision. Because it affects only your eyes, you won’t have to worry about damaging any other organs if you take it. This makes it a good choice for treating uveitis as well as many different types of autoimmune diseases.
2) Behcet’s Disease
a rare, chronic disease characterized by severe eye inflammation and sores in various parts of your body (including mouth, nose, genitals, and skin) that can cause pain and make it difficult to move. Symptoms include mouth ulcers and blisters on other parts of your body, frequent or painful urination or bowel movements, nausea, and abdominal pain. Many people with Behcet’s disease also experience fatigue. The causes are unknown but doctors have linked it to a defect in genes that control white blood cells in your immune system. Treatment for Behcet’s includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroidal drugs such as prednisone, and hydroxychloroquine tablets which may help to relieve symptoms.
3) Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic’s Disease)
This is a rare autoimmune disease that affects both men and women. NMO attacks and destroys myelin, an insulating layer of tissue surrounding nerve fibers. Symptoms vary but are similar to those associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Symptoms may appear at any age, but most commonly occur between 20-40 years old. Neuro symptoms include pain in the eyes or head, vision problems including double vision, or trouble with balance or walking. Optic neuritis (inflammation/destruction of the optic nerve) affects vision in one eye only and can result in permanent loss of vision if not treated quickly.
4) Sarcoidosis
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic skin disease where nodules, redness, and scaling appear in circular patches on your face, scalp, chest, and arms. DLE is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The drug hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat malaria, has been shown to be useful in some patients with lupus. It seems that hydroxychloroquine has an anti-inflammatory effect that may also reduce or prevent new lesions from forming.
5) Epidermolysis Bullosa
There is currently no cure for epidermolysis bullosa, although proper treatment can help those who suffer from it lead relatively normal lives. Treatment for EB ranges from immunosuppressants to physical therapy; hydroxychloroquine has proven to be an effective remedy for some people with mild cases of EB. While its exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, hydroxychloroquine’s antimalarial properties seem to make it a helpful addition to some patients’ treatment regimens. Some patients have also found relief in taking hydroxychloroquine alone.
6) Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye Syndrome, KCS)
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome (DES) include blurred vision, irritation, redness, and pain in your eyes. Dry eye syndrome is caused by a reduced amount of tears produced to keep your eyes lubricated and moisturized. DES occurs when there isn’t enough water produced by your tear glands or your tears evaporate too quickly from your eyes. This condition can be caused by certain medications, extreme weather conditions, or diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. The most effective treatment for dry eye syndrome is eye drops containing a synthetic version of human immune factors that are lacking in people with DES.
7) Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE or Lupus Vulgaris, LES)
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is a skin condition that affects about one percent of all people. DLE usually develops between ages 20 and 40 and is not related to sun exposure. It appears as an itchy, red rash on areas of your body where your skin has lots of folds, such as your scalp, neck, underarms, and elbows. If you have Discoid Lupus Erythematosus you will typically notice outbreaks about 2-4 times per year for no apparent reason with each new outbreak lasting up to three weeks at a time. DLE does not cause any lasting damage to your body but can be uncomfortable and may interfere with daily life if it flares up near your eyes or mouth.
