Hi, My daughter has been prescribed a combination of Clarithromycin (Biaxin) 500 mg/twice daily and Hydroxychloroquine (generic version of Plaquenil) 200 mg/twice daily for Lyme. She is 11 years old, about 75 lbs. I worry about how safe it is to give kids the hydroxychloroquine - expecially after reading the prescription information that came with the medicine. Kid "may be more sensitive to the side effects", "not recommended for long term use in children", and "even a small amount can be very harmful (possibly fatal)". I understand why the doctor gave her two medicines. The hydroxychloroquine enables the antibiotics to work by chaning the ph, I believe. Thanks for any help!
[ 12. June 2007, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: BHD ]
Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
My son is 11, diagnosed with Lyme in August of 2005. He just started taking Plaquenil and seems to be helping with his soreness in muscle and joints. He also takes Biaxin, Rifampin and Minocin. Seems to be doing ok. He has been on so many different medicines over the past two years, I too, wonder if it is okay, but I have complete confidence in our Doctor. Although Dustin only takes Plaquenil 1 x daily- 200 mg. Good Luck
Make sure you get your child a visual fields test before, or soon after starting, from an eye doctor. Have the test redone every 6 months while on Plaquenil, to catch any vision damage before it impacts actual vision.
Posted by lymeflox (Member # 10543) on :
Hydroxychloroquine is an extremely toxic drug with a vast array of side effects, some of them permanent. Very well known is its ability for damaging the eyes. The safety margin is very narrow, so to take care is advised.
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