Can Hydroxychloroquine Be Resumed While Suffering From Severe Cold?

Posted on Wed, 26 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 Answered on

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am taking hydroxychloroquine everyday but I developed a bad cold and stopped taking it for two days now. I still have a bad cold. Should I stay of it or continue taking it. I understand that if I have some sort of an infection in my system I should stop taking it.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
would suggest that you stop it

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
In most cases it is better to stop it until you are well again. This is because it tends to somewhat suppress the immune system and may make it harder for you to get rid of the cold.
It may also make you more susceptible to complications of the cold.
For most indications it is not a problem to stop it for a week to 10 days.
Try to get established with a new rheumatologist but for now I suggest that you stop it until you are well again.
Please let me know if you have further questions
Regards,
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar