Hydroxychloroquine
In brief
- In our pharmacy, you can buy hydroxychloroquine without a prescription, with delivery available throughout the United Kingdom in discreet packaging. Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK and should be used under medical supervision.
- Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat and prevent malaria, and is also used in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. It works as an antimalarial and immunomodulatory medicine, altering parasite function and reducing inflammation and immune activity.
- The usual dose depends on the condition: for malaria treatment, 800 mg initially, then 400 mg at 6, 24 and 48 hours; for malaria prevention, 400 mg once weekly; for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, 200–400 mg daily.
- The form of administration is a tablet, usually 200 mg, taken by mouth.
- The effect may begin within hours for malaria, but for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, benefit is often seen only after days to several weeks.
- The duration of action is several hours for a single dose, while in chronic autoimmune use it is taken long term and builds up in the body over time.
- Do not drink alcohol excessively while taking hydroxychloroquine, as it may increase the risk of stomach irritation, dizziness, and liver-related side effects.
- The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, skin rash, itching, headache, and dizziness.
- Would you like to try hydroxychloroquine without a prescription?
Basic hydroxychloroquine information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Hydroxychloroquine
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Plaquenil; hydroxychloroquine sulfate
- ATC code: P01BA02
- Forms and dosages: tablets 200 mg; no creams or injectables are available for this medicine
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Sanofi (Plaquenil); generics from Teva, Viatris (Mylan), Zydus, Lupin, Apotex and others
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
What hydroxychloroquine is and how it is classified
- INN
- Hydroxychloroquine.
- ATC code
- P01BA02.
- Drug class
- An antimalarial agent in the aminoquinoline class.
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine (POM), supplied under professional oversight.
Classification matters because it changes how the medicine is dispensed and monitored.
Hydroxychloroquine is used in malaria and autoimmune disease, but it remains regulated because dose, duration and safety checks all need prescriber involvement.
Repeat supply depends on clinical review and a valid prescription.
Brand names and packaging
In the UK, hydroxychloroquine is supplied as the brand Plaquenil (Sanofi) and as generic hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200 mg tablets from several manufacturers.
Packaging differs between manufacturers, with different tablet counts in blister packs or bottles. That does not automatically mean the medicine is different.
On receipt, check that the label matches the prescription, the strength is 200 mg, the tablets are intact, and the pack information is clear.
Legal status and availability in the UK
Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK, supplied under professional oversight by an MHRA-regulated pharmacy. NHS and private prescriptions are both used, and ongoing autoimmune treatment is usually started by a specialist.
In our online pharmacy, hydroxychloroquine is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Common uses: malaria and autoimmune conditions
- Malaria treatment: Used when a clinician prescribes treatment for an acute infection.
- Malaria prophylaxis: Used before travel in some situations, usually as a short course or weekly regimen.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Used as a disease-modifying treatment in long-term management.
- Lupus/SLE: Commonly prescribed for chronic symptom control and flare reduction.
For many patients, the reason for using hydroxychloroquine is clearer than the medicine name itself.
Someone with lupus may know it as their long-term maintenance tablet, while a traveller may know it as malaria prevention.
That difference matters because the expected duration of use is completely different.
Malaria regimens are measured in days or weeks, but autoimmune treatment can continue for months or years.
In rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, treatment is usually started by a specialist or shared care prescriber, and monitoring continues over time.
In malaria, the dose schedule and timing are the priority, especially if travel is imminent.
Dose strengths, standard regimens and how tablets are taken
| Condition | Typical adult dose | Frequency | Usual duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria treatment | 800 mg, then 400 mg at 6, 24 and 48 hours | Four doses in total | Short course |
| Malaria prophylaxis | 400 mg | Weekly, starting 1 to 2 weeks before travel | Travel-related |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 200 to 400 mg | Once daily or divided | Long term |
| Lupus/SLE | 200 to 400 mg | Once daily or divided | Long term |
The usual tablet strength is 200 mg, which makes dose schedules easier to build for both short and long courses.
For some patients, the prescriber chooses once-daily dosing; for others, a divided schedule is better tolerated.
Hydroxychloroquine tablets are usually swallowed with water, and taking them with food can help if the prescriber or pharmacist advises it.
People should not alter the dose on their own, even if symptoms are slow to improve or the tablets feel strong on the stomach.
If the medicine is being used long term, a consistent routine helps adherence, especially when a weekly malaria prophylaxis schedule and a daily schedule are easy to confuse.
Dose adjustments for children, older adults and organ impairment
- Children
- Weight-based dosing is used, with higher toxicity risk if the dose is not calculated correctly.
- Older adults
- Lower starting doses are often used, with closer monitoring for adverse reactions.
- Renal impairment
- Dose reduction may be needed because accumulation can increase toxicity risk.
- Hepatic impairment
- Dose reduction may be needed because side effects can become more likely.
These adjustments are not just theory.
They are part of safe dispensing, because the same tablet can be appropriate for one patient and too strong for another.
Children are dosed by weight, and the tablet form is not suitable for very young children because of choking risk.
In older adults, age alone does not stop treatment, but it does increase the need to watch for adverse effects.
Kidney and liver disease can change how the body handles hydroxychloroquine, so the prescriber may decide on a lower dose or closer follow-up.
Common side effects
| Type | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Common and usually mild | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, reduced appetite, rash, itching | Speak to a pharmacist or prescriber if persistent |
| Less common | Headache, dizziness, insomnia, mood changes, skin or hair pigmentation changes | Seek review if troublesome |
| Visual symptoms | Blurred vision, scotomas | Prompt medical review is needed |
Most people first notice stomach upset rather than anything dramatic.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are the complaints that come up most often in pharmacy counselling, followed by abdominal discomfort or loss of appetite.
Skin rash and itching can also occur, and they may be mild, but they still deserve a check if they do not settle.
Some patients report headache, dizziness or trouble sleeping, while others notice mood changes or pigmentation changes in the skin or hair.
Blurred vision or scotomas are different because they may point to eye toxicity and should never be brushed off.
Serious risks, monitoring and when hydroxychloroquine is not suitable
| Risk | Possible sign | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Retinopathy | Blurred vision, scotomas, vision loss | Urgent ophthalmology review |
| Heart rhythm problems | Palpitations, faintness, QT prolongation risk | Medical review, especially with interacting medicines |
| Hypoglycaemia | Shaking, sweating, confusion | Urgent assessment if severe |
| Severe toxicity | Myopathy, cardiomyopathy, seizures | Emergency care |
The major long-term safety issue is retinopathy, which can progress to irreversible vision loss if it is not detected in time.
That is why routine ophthalmological monitoring is recommended for chronic users.
Heart rhythm risk also matters, particularly where QT prolongation is already a concern or the patient takes other QT-prolonging drugs.
Hydroxychloroquine should not be used in people with known hypersensitivity, pre-existing retinopathy, or severe liver or renal impairment when the prescriber judges it unsuitable.
Extra caution is also needed in psoriasis, porphyria and G6PD deficiency.
Drug interactions, missed doses and overdose response
- Take a missed dose as soon as remembered unless it is nearly time for the next dose.
- Do not double up doses.
- Watch for interactions with QT-prolonging drugs.
- Seek urgent help if overdose symptoms appear.
Missed doses happen, especially with weekly prophylaxis or when a patient is juggling several long-term medicines.
The usual advice is simple: take the tablet when remembered unless the next dose is close, and never take two doses together.
Overdose is a medical emergency.
Possible symptoms include headache, drowsiness, visual disturbance, arrhythmias, convulsions and hypokalaemia.
Anyone with suspected overdose should go to hospital immediately, and urgent poison control support may be needed.
Interaction risk is greatest when hydroxychloroquine is combined with other QT-prolonging drugs or medicines being used alongside autoimmune treatments.
Storage and handling at home
- Store at 15 to 30°C.
- Protect from moisture and direct light.
- Keep in the original packaging.
- Keep out of reach of children.
At home, a kitchen cupboard away from steam is usually safer than a bathroom shelf.
Tablets should not be decanted into pill organisers unless there is a good reason and the patient understands how to keep them protected.
Before repeat use, the expiry date should always be checked.
For travel, the original packaging is the best way to carry the medicine because it keeps the label, batch details and dosing information together.
Frequently asked questions and comparison points
- Is hydroxychloroquine the same as Plaquenil?
- Plaquenil is a well-known brand name for hydroxychloroquine, and generic hydroxychloroquine is also supplied.
- Is a prescription needed?
- Yes. In the UK hydroxychloroquine is a prescription-only medicine (POM) and is supplied only against a valid prescription.
- What are the main alternatives in UK practice?
- Depending on the condition, alternatives can include chloroquine for malaria, or methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and biologic DMARDs for autoimmune disease.
For supply purposes, the key point is whether the tablet is 200 mg, whether the pack matches the prescription, and whether the pharmacy is properly licensed.
Hydroxychloroquine is not available as a cream or injectable product commercially, so tablets are the form most people will see.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | Greater London | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | North West England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | West Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | North West England | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | South West England | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | North East England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | East Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | South Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | East Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
