Hydroxychloroquine & Antimalarials

Key points

• Antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine): accumulate in melanin-containing tissues, especially the retina.
• Ocular side effect: retinopathy (bull's-eye maculopathy) — dose-related, may be irreversible; visual checks/baseline eye assessment recommended.
• Uses: rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, malaria prophylaxis/treatment.
• Chloroquine overdose is dangerous — cardiac toxicity.