204 Adverse events associated with hydroxychloroquine use in cicatricial alopecia patients

The anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a common treatment for cicatricial alopecias (CA). Serious adverse events include prolonged QT interval, ventricular arrythmias and irreversible retinopathy. There limited literature on the incidence of in CA patients taking HCQ. A retrospective analysis was performed 60 patients, mean age years, prescribed Alopecia diagnoses included lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus, central centrifugal alopecia folliculitis decalvans. Average length HCQ 2.98 years. Dosing ranged from 100 to 400 mg daily. 83.3% did not experience an event. Adverse that occurred GI distress (n=5), tinnitus or other hearing-related changes (n=2), allergic skin rash (n=1). One patient developed non-sustained tachycardia (NSVT) 17 months after starting During her hospitalization, no structural cardiac abnormalities were revealed, cause NSVT determined. She daily estradiol-norethindrone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) several years prior NSVT. Her medical history significant congestive heart failure remote pulmonary hypertension left hypertrophy. permanently discontinued both medications. has another episode remains healthy. Within our cohort, there related despite some concomitant medications known increase risk prolongation. These monitored with regular electrocardiograms. HCQ-associated retinopathy increases > 5 cumulative use. No retinopathy, including 6.67% We demonstrate while may occur during treatment, generally well tolerated by patients. hope this will help support discussions