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BENGALURU: Due to its use as prophylaxis for Covid-19, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is not available to those who regularly consume it: arthritis and lupus patients.
The massive government purchase of HCQ directly from manufacturers has led to a shortage of medications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, general arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or simply lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system fiercely attacks healthy tissue. Thousands of patients take HCQ 200 mg twice a day.
Arthritis and lupus patients are making rounds of pharmacies across Bengaluru, but to no avail. “The last tablet I had was on Wednesday. By then, we had searched everywhere. There is no offer. We need this drug and the government should understand the plight of patients like us, ”said a 53-year-old woman from JP Nagar who suffers from arthritis. His family members even visited government hospitals in search of the drug.
Originally an antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine has also been helpful in treating arthritis and lupus. “Lupus affects 1 in 2,000 people, mainly women. It is potentially a serious illness. HCQ is an essential medicine for such patients. Suddenly stopping the medication can cause the disease to intensify, resulting in kidney problems. It is also effective in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. If I see 50 patients a day, 30 of them use HCQ. Some autoimmune skin diseases also improve with it, ”explained Dr. BG Dharmanand, a consulting rheumatologist at Vikram Hospital. The Association of Rheumatologists of India has raised the issue with the Center, seeking availability of the drug, he added.
According to Dr. Narayana Hulse, director of orthopedics at Fortis Hospitals, the anti-inflammatory quality of HCQ provides relief for arthritis patients. Some patients have reported side effects like heartburn. But there are many who have been using it for decades, “said Dr. Hulse.
HCQ is being widely used as prophylaxis by healthcare professionals, frontline healthcare workers, and even police on Covid-19 tasks. Some doctors TOI spoke to said the government is using the drug blindly without any evidence that it has a prophylactic effect on Covid-19.
“Medications like leflunomide and sulfasalazine are of similar molecular formulations, but are produced by different companies. Alternative arthritis medications may be suggested to patients with arthritis. However, they should be taken only on the advice of doctors, “said Dr. Hulse.
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The massive government purchase of HCQ directly from manufacturers has led to a shortage of medications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, general arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or simply lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system fiercely attacks healthy tissue. Thousands of patients take HCQ 200 mg twice a day.
Arthritis and lupus patients are making rounds of pharmacies across Bengaluru, but to no avail. “The last tablet I had was on Wednesday. By then, we had searched everywhere. There is no offer. We need this drug and the government should understand the plight of patients like us, ”said a 53-year-old woman from JP Nagar who suffers from arthritis. His family members even visited government hospitals in search of the drug.
Originally an antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine has also been helpful in treating arthritis and lupus. “Lupus affects 1 in 2,000 people, mainly women. It is potentially a serious illness. HCQ is an essential medicine for such patients. Suddenly stopping the medication can cause the disease to intensify, resulting in kidney problems. It is also effective in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. If I see 50 patients a day, 30 of them use HCQ. Some autoimmune skin diseases also improve with it, ”explained Dr. BG Dharmanand, a consulting rheumatologist at Vikram Hospital. The Association of Rheumatologists of India has raised the issue with the Center, seeking availability of the drug, he added.
According to Dr. Narayana Hulse, director of orthopedics at Fortis Hospitals, the anti-inflammatory quality of HCQ provides relief for arthritis patients. Some patients have reported side effects like heartburn. But there are many who have been using it for decades, “said Dr. Hulse.
HCQ is being widely used as prophylaxis by healthcare professionals, frontline healthcare workers, and even police on Covid-19 tasks. Some doctors TOI spoke to said the government is using the drug blindly without any evidence that it has a prophylactic effect on Covid-19.
“Medications like leflunomide and sulfasalazine are of similar molecular formulations, but are produced by different companies. Alternative arthritis medications may be suggested to patients with arthritis. However, they should be taken only on the advice of doctors, “said Dr. Hulse.
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