Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology is using Editorial Tracking System to maintain quality and transparency to the author in the peer-review process. Review processing will be performed by the editorial board members of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology or by Reviewers (outside experts in the field). Two independent reviewer’s approval (Minimum reviewer’s approval) followed by editor approval is obligatory for acceptance of any manuscript excluding an editorial.

Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet. Hydroxychloroquine is available as the brand-name drug Plaquenil. It’s also available in a generic version. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every form as the brand-name drug. Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also used to prevent and treat malaria. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug. It treats malaria by killing the parasites that cause the disease. It belongs to a class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It can reduce skin problems in lupus and prevent swelling/pain in arthritis.

Hydroxychloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline with immunosuppressive, anti-autophagy, and antimalarial activities. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, hydroxychloroquine may suppress immune function by interfering with the processing and presentation of antigens and the production of cytokines. As a lysosomotropic agent, hydroxychloroquine raises intralysosomal pH, impairing autophagic protein degradation. Some products that may interact with this drug are: penicillamine, remdesivir. Many drugs besides hydroxychloroquine may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). Some examples are amiodarone, azithromycin, disopyramide, dronedarone, pimozide, quinidine, among others.

Hydroxychloroquine typically is very well tolerated. Serious side effects are rare. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often improve with time. Less common side effects include rash, changes in skin pigment (such as darkening or dark spots), hair changes, and muscle weakness. Rarely, hydroxychloroquine can lead to anemia in some individuals. This can happen in individuals with a condition known as G6PD deficiency or porphyria. In rare cases, hydroxychloroquine can cause visual changes or loss of vision. Such vision problems are more likely to occur in individuals taking high doses for many years, in individuals 60 years or older, those with significant kidney or liver disease, and those with underlying retinal disease.

Side effects also includes ringing in your ears or hearing loss, angioedema, hives, mild or severe bronchospasm, sore throat, severe hypoglycemia, unusual bleeding or bruising, blue-black skin color, muscle weakness, hair loss or changes in hair color, abnormal mood changes and mental health effects, including suicidal thoughts. At the recommended dose, development of visual problems due to the medication is rare. It is recommended that you have an eye exam within the first year of use and then repeat every 1 to 5 years based on current guidelines. Additional rare reports of changes in the heart rhythm have been reported with the use of hydroxychloroquine, particularly in combination with other medications.

For people with skin problems, this drug may worsen the skin conditions psoriasis and porphyria. For people with liver problems or alcohol misuse, liver problems or a history of alcohol misuse can make this drug less effective. For people with certain enzyme deficiencies, this drug may cause red blood cells to rupture in people with low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). G6PD is an enzyme, which is a type of protein. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on: your age, the condition being treated, how severe your condition is, other medical conditions you have and how you react to the first dose.

On the occasion of its 3 years, Successful Journey, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology decided to provide a partial waiver on its article processing charges to promote quality research from across the nations of the globe to encourage the latest research in the field of Infections, Diseases and Medicine. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology also planning to release a special issue on its new approaches.

Regards

Mary Wilson

Editorial office

Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology