Side effects of long-term treatment with chloroquine for rheumatoid arthritis - a review of the literature

Background: Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline derivative. Initially the substance was used as an antimalarial drug, but now chloroquine also to treat connective tissue diseases. It widely drug in rheumatological diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A number of side effects have been reported public literature among patients using this drug. This article reviews during long-term treatment with arthritis. Materials methods: review available PubMed database performed, key words: "Chloroquin" ; "Chloroquin rheumatoid" toxicity" "Chloroquine" "Chloroquine toxicity". Results: quinine derivative, originally prevention malaria. being successfully certain including publications described various Serious major problems arise from drug's toxicity use, such Long-term use results retinopathy cardiotoxicity (conduction disturbances, cardiomyopathy). The mentions neuromyotoxicity which rarely by patients. Conclusion: carries serious effects. main complications affect visual, cardiovascular nervous systems. should emphasize need for accurate dosing periodic cardiovascular, ophthalmologic neurologic monitoring.