I have psoriasis vulgaris with anxiety disorder and dry cough. Will Hydroxychloroquine be harmful?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had psoriasis vulgaris, anxiety disorder, and dry cough for a long time. Recently, I have taken Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin along with my usual medicine like topical corticosteroid, Sertraline, Montelukast, and Rosuvastatin. Is taking these medicine like Hydroxychloroquine do any harm? Or do I need any adjustments to my regular medicine?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am sure some healthcare providers must have advised him to take these drugs and he would be aware of these interactions before starting. If you are self-medicating yourselves I would strongly advise you against that.

Using Hydroxychloroquine together with Sertraline can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea).

Your doctor may already be aware of the risks but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone.

With Rosuvastatin, the risk of peripheral neuropathy may be increased during concurrent use of two or more agents that are associated with this adverse effect. Patient risk factors include diabetes and age older than 60 years. In some cases, the neuropathy may progress or become irreversible despite discontinuation of the medications.

It does not have any interactions with topical corticosteroids and Montelukast.