FIGURE 2.

A multitude of side effects may be elicited by the use of HCQ. Most of the experienced side effects are mild and well-tolerated ones that include cutaneous, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms denoted by itching, skin rashes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness. Life-threatening cardiovascular side effects are particularly encountered in critically ill patients with comorbid hepatic or renal diseases. Similarly, the toxicity of HCQ can be potentiated by the coadministration of drugs that may affect the metabolism of HCQ, or enhance its pro-arrhythmic effects. Retinopathy constitutes another feared side effect associated with chronic use of high-dose HCQ. Furthermore, patients may experience serious gastrointestinal events such as liver injury, and neuropsychiatric events such as confusion, seizure, mood changes and psychosis.