“Taking into account the very wide use of chloroquine as an antimalarial for some 30 years, it can reasonably be assumed that any increased incidence of congenital malformation following the use of chloroquine for treatment or suppression of malaria would certainly have been noticed, and sooner or later would have been reported.” Other sources similarly indicate the safety of CQ and HCQ during pregnancy. 9 The manufacturer-listed contraindications for its use are allergy to similar medications, existing retinal disease, and pregnancy. 10,11 In contrast, some studies have shown improved outcome in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with the suggestion that HCQ be continued during gestation. 11 Caution should be used with known liver and renal disease, with oral medications that lower blood sugar, and some cardiac medicine. 9 The current CDC website advice on travelling to malaria – endemic regions agrees with the above suggested safety profile and states: 2 “Hydroxychloroquine can be prescribed to adults and children of all ages. It can also be safely taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers.”
With regard to side effects, the site reports:
“Hydroxychloroquine is a relatively well tolerated medicine. The most common adverse reactions reported are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be lessened by taking hydroxychloroquine with food. Hydroxychloroquine may also cause itching in some people.”
Standard dosage and side effects for HCQ
Drugs.com is a common online reference for medications. 12 It lists the common use indications as malaria prophylaxis (prevention), malaria treatment, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recommended doses are:
Anchorlines, June/July 2022
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