Posted on 11/08/2022 9:22:44 PM PST by ConservativeMind
New research found that the recommended weight-based or non-weight-based dose of hydroxychloroquine led to more hospitalizations for flares among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the mainstay treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), reduces flares and improves long-term outcomes. However, the appropriate dosage to avoid retinopathy has long been a matter of debate. Ophthalmology guidelines initially recommended HCQ dosing equal to or less than 6.5 mg/kg/day of ideal body weight. In 2016, updated guidelines suggested using 5 mg/kg/day or less based on actual body weight.
For some patients, this results in doses lower than 400 mg a day, which had often been used to treat SLE. The effects of lower doses on SLE hospitalizations are not known. The researchers undertook this study to determine the effect of HCQ dose on the risk of hospitalization for SLE flares.
The researchers were interested in the comparative outcomes of lower versus higher doses of HCQ. Low dose weight based HCQ was defined as equal to or less than 5 mg/kg a day; a higher dose as more than 5 mg/kg a day. The low non-weight-based daily dose was less than 400 mg versus a higher dose of 400 mg.
Among nearly 3,000 SLE patients who used HCQ, 108 were hospitalized for an SLE flare while taking the drug.
Researchers found that both the lower weight-based dose and non-weight-based dose were associated with increased hospitalizations for SLE flares, with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.41 and 3.48, respectively.
"The current guidelines are for hydroxychloroquine dosing by weight, which are in place to prevent the long-term potential side effect of blindness. But our study shows that lower dosing results in increased SLE-related hospitalization in the short-term. It may be worth reconsidering the current hydroxychloroquine dosing guidelines to balance both short- and long-term side effects."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I have been prescribed this drug as the lesser of all the evils to try. I am still scared to take it for fear of upsetting the balance and causing cancer to rear its ugly head.
An alternative for some may be low dose naltrexone. It seems to be helping me with autoimmune issues.
Autoimmune issues is like playing Russian roulette in a way.
What form of cancer do you have?
Isn’t that the stuff that fights Covid?
None yet. Ovarian masses were negative. Adrenal masses can’t be determined until you take them out.
Cancer is the tradeoff worry when you start jacking around your immune system.
And for anyone about to have to try methotrexate...my DNA test pops up a potential issue with it. Don’t know how common that is.
check out fenbendozole or ivermectin to keep cancer at bay
also stress is the real enemy of auto-immune disease
The low dose/high dose dividing line of 5mg per kg body weight puts my 150 lb dose at 340 mg. Online most of the HCQ tablets I find are 200 mg. It seems like the common dosage should lie well above the 5mg/kg dividing line cited in this study.
Does anyone here use HCQ for autoimmunity? What is your titration?
The prior rate of use was 6.5 mg/kg “of ideal weight” and this study seems to point toward getting back to such levels.
“check out fenbendozole or ivermectin to keep cancer at bay”
Do you know if the dosage of ivermectin for cancer is the same as the dosage for treating Covid?
I do not know if dosage for cancer is the same as the dosage for covid or parasites. I take it per my body weight, because it is so cheap and so safe. But I do not take more than once per month (for maintenance).
I think folks who take it once per week take a lighter dose.
I have been taking it since 2006 with great success.
Thanks, Sister K. Are you taking it for a cancer-related issue?
yes
I started getting skin cancers (including melanoma)in my 20s
I have been sliced and diced but no more :)
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