Plaquenil
Plaquenil
Plaquenil (pronounced: pla-kwe-nil), also known by its generic name Hydroxychloroquine (pronounced: hi-drox-ee-klor-oh-kwin), is a medication primarily used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where malaria remains sensitive to its effects.
Etymology
The term "Plaquenil" is a brand name derived from the generic name "Hydroxychloroquine". The prefix "Hydroxy-" refers to the presence of a hydroxyl group in the chemical structure of the drug, while "-chloroquine" is derived from quinine, a compound found in the bark of Cinchona trees and used for centuries to treat malaria.
Usage
Apart from its primary use in the prevention and treatment of malaria, Plaquenil is also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, particularly in patients who have not responded well to other medications.
Mechanism of Action
Plaquenil works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Plaquenil include headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and trouble seeing. It can also cause more serious side effects, such as damage to the retina of the eye.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plaquenil
- Wikipedia's article - Plaquenil
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski