Adverse effects of hydroxychloroquine use in patients with cicatricial alopecia: A systematic review

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an immunomodulator that is widely used for dermatologic conditions such as lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and cicatricial alopecia (CA). The most common adverse events (AE) include gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, dizziness, and rash. 1 Serious AE like arrhythmias and irreversible retinopathy are rare but have been reported in the literature. 2,3 The aim of this review is to characterize the incidence and characteristics of AEs in CA patients taking HCQ.