Side effects associated with HCQ
Overall, side effects associated with HCQ were reported in 6 patients, with 14.2% incidence among those receiving HCQ therapy. The characteristics of the 6 patients are shown in Table 4. Three patients (7.1%) suffered from retinopathy. Two patients (4.8%) suffered from cutaneous side effects, including cutaneous pigmentation and the depigmentation of skin. One patient (2.4%) had transient elevated liver enzymes. Four of six patients have been treated with HCQ for more than 2 years. All patients stopped HCQ when side effects presented. After the discontinuation of HCQ, side effects in 3 patients disappeared, whereas side effects in 2 patients were unchanged. One patient had no ophthalmologic monitoring after the discontinuation of HCQ.