HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200MG: IS IT SAFE FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES?
COVID-19 has placed a treatment known as hydroxychloroquine into the spotlight as well as, in the process, it was shrouded in confusion. Despite the initial optimism of the government and scientists that it could aid in fighting the disease and help fight the virus, recent reports indicate that hydroxychloroquine may not be efficient in treating the latest coronavirus, and could have negative effects on certain people.
What do these mean for those who use hydroxychloroquine in different conditions, such as autoimmune diseases such as lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? It has a long-standing history of helping patients and we're currently looking at new ways to utilize it."
What exactly is HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AFFECTED FOR?
Hydroxychloroquine was first discovered around 60 years ago to treat malaria. However, doctors soon discovered that it can also be used to fight autoimmune diseases of all kinds. Instead of suffocating the entire immune system, it seems to be working by preventing autoantibodies, which are immune proteins, from activating the immune response that triggers these conditions.
What are the side effects of HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE?
The adverse effects of taking hydroxychloroquine are minimal for the majority of patients, which includes those suffering from autoimmune disease.
In the beginning, patients can be prone to mild nausea. In the long run, the usage of the drug could harm the retina and cause impairment to vision.
The side effects of HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE in COVID PATIENTS
Negative effects from the drug usually arise from using it in large doses, over a prolonged duration, or due to interactions with other drugs. This may explain why patients suffering from COVID-19 develop irregular heart rhythms (unusual cardiac rhythms) as well as other problems in response to the medication.
Certain patients received high doses of medication -- far higher than the doses prescribed for people suffering from lupus and other ailments. Patients with COVID-19 are typically extremely ill when they're treated for heart issues as well as other health issues that people who suffer from autoimmune diseases generally do not have.
Exploring NEW uses for HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
Alongside stopping the progress of auto-immune illnesses, BRI is also testing the hydroxychloroquine and other treatments to determine whether they can stop the onset of these illnesses from arising in the beginning. This includes a brand new study on type one diabetes (T1D) which was conducted through the BRI's Diabetes Clinical Research Program and Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet.
T1D happens when autoantibodies attack pancreas cells and, in turn, hinder the body's ability to correctly control blood sugar levels. It happens gradually in which the body creates autoantibodies (which scientists refer to as stage one T1D). Then, later -- it could be weeks, months, or even years -the pancreas is attacked (stage three T1D) which means the person needs to inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels.

















