It's important to take hydroxychloroquine tablets as your doctor tells you. Always follow the instructions you get from a pharmacist, doctor or the leaflet in the medicine packet.
Dosage and strength
The tablets contain 200mg or 300mg of hydroxychloroquine.
The usual dose for adults is 200mg to 400mg each day.
If your child is prescribed hydroxychloroquine, their doctor will work out their dose based on their height and weight.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole. Take them with or just after food, or with a glass of milk.
If you take antacids for indigestion, leave a gap of at least 4 hours between taking them and hydroxychloroquine.
How long to take it for
How long you take hydroxychloroquine for depends on why you're taking it.
For some conditions, if hydroxychloroquine works for you then you may need to take it for several years, or even for the rest of your life, to control your symptoms.
If you're taking hydroxychloroquine for a skin condition, you may only need to take it 2 or 3 times a week, or only during the summer.
It may take several weeks before you notice the benefit of taking hydroxychloroquine.
Important
Keep taking hydroxychloroquine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it just because you feel better. If you stop, your symptoms may get worse again.
If you forget to take it
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
If you take too much
Taking too much hydroxychloroquine can cause problems.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you've taken more than your prescribed dose of hydroxychloroquine, even if you feel well
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the medicine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.