Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
GI upset — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps (take with food or milk)
Headache
Dizziness
Skin pigmentation changes (grayish-blue discoloration, especially with prolonged use)
Skin rash or itching
Bleaching of hair
Retinal toxicity (bull's-eye maculopathy) — dose-dependent, cumulative, potentially irreversible vision loss
Cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities (QTc prolongation — rare but serious)
Severe hypoglycemia (potentiates insulin/sulfonylurea effects)
Hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient patients
Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia (rare)
Myopathy and neuromyopathy
Hearing loss or tinnitus
Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme — very rare)
Hepatic failure (very rare)
Like all medications, Hydroxychloroquine can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: