HCQ dosing

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  • HCQ dosing

    Posted by James R Jiga on November 6, 2024 at 7:14 am EST

    I bought HCQ 400 mg tablets from an Indian pharmacy. I thought I’d cut in half for the two 200 mg doses daily. There is no scoring on the tablet, so I need to know if cutting will decrease effectiveness. (Maybe they are enteric coated?). Would it be safe to take 400 mg once daily?

    Thanks.

    librebase replied 2 days, 19 hours ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • FLCCC-GregT

    Organizer
    November 8, 2024 at 8:57 am EST
    Hi James-Roberts
    Thanks very much for your question. Went and did a little research. Here’s what I found. Hope it helps.
    Cutting a 400mg hydroxychloroquine pill in half does not inherently reduce its effectiveness, but there are some important factors to consider:

    Effectiveness and Dosage

    Splitting a 400mg hydroxychloroquine tablet in half would result in two 200mg doses, which is within the typical dosage range for adults. The usual dose for adults is 200mg to 400mg each day. Therefore, taking half of a 400mg pill would still provide a therapeutic dose for many patients.

    Considerations for Pill Splitting

    While splitting hydroxychloroquine pills can be done, it’s crucial to consider the following:

    1. Consult your healthcare provider: Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before splitting any medication, including hydroxychloroquine
    2. Scored tablets: If the tablet has a score mark or groove down the middle, it is generally designed to be split safely. However, not all scored tablets are meant to be split, so verification is essential.
    3. Proper splitting technique: Use a pill splitter rather than a knife or scissors for more accurate division
    4. Split one pill at a time: To maintain the medication’s effectiveness, only split pills as needed rather than in advance
    5. Even distribution: Ensure that the active ingredient is evenly distributed in both halves. Some studies have found inconsistencies in the amount of active ingredients in tablet halves.

    Potential Risks

    Splitting hydroxychloroquine pills incorrectly could potentially affect its effectiveness:

    1. Uneven dosing: If the pill is not split evenly, you may not get the intended dose in each half.
    2. Altered release mechanism: Hydroxychloroquine is not typically formulated as an extended-release medication, so splitting should not affect its release mechanism.
    3. Stability concerns: Splitting pills exposes the inner core to air and moisture, which could potentially affect stability over time.

    Conclusion

    While splitting a 400mg hydroxychloroquine pill in half to obtain a 200mg dose can be done without inherently reducing its effectiveness, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider first. They can advise on whether this practice is appropriate for your specific situation and ensure that you’re receiving the correct dosage for your condition. If pill splitting is necessary, use proper techniques and tools to maintain the medication’s effectiveness and safety.

    Anyone else have any thoughts? Drop them as a reply 🙂

    • James R Jiga

      Member
      November 11, 2024 at 8:22 am EST

      Thank you, GregT!

  • librebase

    Member
    November 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm EST

    In 2021 when I was searching for any treatment of my Long Vax symptoms, the first positive development was after taking HCQ 100 mg once a week.

    I noticed there was a narrow treatment window. Higher dose would increase my risk of having urinary track inflections.

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