Getting Hydroxychloroquinne

[fureteur]

Hi ! How can hydroxychloroquine be obtained in Canada?

[happytulip]

I'm assuming from a prescription from a doctor after a diagnosis of an auto-immune disease.

Do you have arthritis or another AI condition that is treated by HCQ?

[happytulip in reply to happytulip]

I am not familiar with Canadian healthcare I am afraid.

[fureteur in reply to happytulip]

That is in case of a Covid infection. Our doctors, at least those that I know, are not going to give prescription for that and our pharmacies are not going to honor them any ways. Yet, studies were recently published showing that it is efficient and a study published on the Lancet pretending that HCQ is not efficient has been retracted.

[happytulip in reply to fureteur]

I'm sorry. I can't speak for anyone else on this forum but HCQ should only be taken to modify the immune system after a diagnosis of an AI disease.

HCQ is a drug that is not without risk.

If the doctors in Canada won't prescribe it or the pharmacy dispense it for covid prophylaxis it is for good reason.

Whatever research is going on, it's on going and not diffinative.

Social distancing, wearing an mask and hand hygiene are the best methods of self protection against Covid 19.

That's my opinion anyway.

[fureteur in reply to happytulip]

Social distancing won't help if you already get it. Furthermore, some countries allow the use of HCQ and others not. They all have good reasons I guess ? It's not my fault if our government decided we would have to suffer a bigger death toll.

[Hidden in reply to fureteur]

Fureteur I live in Canada as well. I'm a bit confused as to why you would want to take a drug that is not proven to have any effect on the covid-19 virus.

Do you have RA?

If not, then perhaps you should wait like every one else for a vaccine.

It's a "prescription" drug for a reason. In Canada you need a prescription from a specialist. Which also means you would have to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

[helixhelix in reply to fureteur]

Its efficacy is dubious, and the potential risks significant from the high doses that are administered. (We take much, much lower doses).

The Lancet study was quite correctly retracted as there were flaws in the methodology and analysis. But it doesn’t actually mean that their conclusions were completely wrong.

The current medical view is “However, there is still no strong evidence that hydroxychloroquine is effective in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19, and health authorities have warned against the drug being given to Covid-19 patients outside clinical trials given its toxicity profile and side effects.”

So I wouldn’t bother trying to get an illegal supply, but focus on keeping yourself in good health so you minimise your risks.

[Pamelah5]

I wouldn’t be jumping the gun in assuming your going to get Covid-19. If you have any concerns you should have a Covid test which apparently is readily available, if you have signs of Covid-19 you will be treated accordingly by a medical team. Please don’t think because Hydroxychloroquinne was mentioned in early stages of talks, i don’t think it is a drug used has Covid-19 remedy.

[Wobblyone]

Wow! So you've joined our group just to find out how to obtain one of the drugs we take? Words fail me.

[shareasmile]

I'm sorry, fureteur, for the bit of hostility you are receiving here. It is true that coming to this site just to find a source for hydroxychloroquine seems inappropriate unless you have an autoimmune condition. However, no matter how much negative attention this drug has gotten for use with covid, there is evidence that it works if used early in covid treatment. Many doctors are touting the success of it. But we don't hear that from the news outlets. And I can see why you would be willing to try it because all we hear day after day is people testing positive and people dying. It is difficult to not be afraid. Maybe you work in a high risk job? Maybe you are caring for or live with someone that is high risk? My advice would be to talk to your doctor. Lay out your reasoning and evidence that it works. Some doctors in Texas are having great success.

All the best to you.

[helixhelix in reply to shareasmile]

Please don’t apologise for my (very mild) hostility, it is mine not yours. And it’s not that the post seems inappropriate - it is inappropriate.

Yes scary times, but equally it remains important to recognise that some on here have fought for years to be prescribed this drug to help with their RA and were very alarmed at the idea of certain Government’s buying up the stocks. And at someone wanting to source it under the counter.

For people with serious but not critical covid it seems perhaps to reduce the stay in hospital by a few days, saving government money. But if doesn’t seem to stop severe Covid disease progression. And from what I've read about Texas the best success they are having is with a combination called math+ which is steroids, anti-coagulents, and vitamins.

[RAexperiences]

Hi fureture,

I am Canadian and to my knowledge we are not using Hydroxychlorine prophylactically against Covid. Canada is very stringent in it’s approval of medications (as I’m sure the UK is) and for that I am grateful. These drugs are toxic and can have serious side effects if not used properly such as the potential for retinal toxicity with Hydroxychlorine. Thank goodness we aren’t dishing it out like candy. A pharmacy will accept a prescription if it is prescribed by a Doctor. If a Doctor is not prescribing it a pharmacist cannot give it to you and thank goodness for that too. I agree with the replies below. Your best defense is to follow social distancing, wearing a mask whenever you leave home, washing hand repeatedly, going to a testing side if u feel I’ll etc. These are all actions within our control and they have no side effects. Tedious I know, challenging I know, especially for our UK friends who have been shielding for so long now. I feel for you all!! It is heartbreaking. Any of us who have done the circuit of toxic RA drugs know the high cost of side effects which can cause long-term problems to our health. Our government has done a lot and continues to have safety protocols in place but it is our job as individuals to follow them as best we can. I am an essential service and they managed to set up 2,500 employees in a two week period to work from home thank goodness. Of course thst isn’t possible for everyone but I gotta say I was impressed!

I get it, these are very scary times...I wish you peace of mind in these trying times.

You’re fellow Canuck.

[fureteur in reply to RAexperiences]

The potential toxicity is just bad faith propaganda. That HCQ is given routinely to people going in countries where malaria is pandemic since more than half a century witout major problems.

[happytulip in reply to fureteur]

Long QT Syndrome is not propaganda. It's fact. And prescribing HCQ for maleria prophylactic measures is different to prescribing it for treatment of Covid 19.

Doses, regimes and evidence based practice from research are different.

[Boxerlady]

Yes but isn't he the one who said that it's just a "little flu"?!

[happytulip]

Gosh, can you imagine if everyone wanted access to HCQ for "just incase" and there was little left for those who actually needed it.

I'm in a terrible state if I even try and half my dose!

[fureteur in reply to happytulip]

Look : First, that epidemic started more than four months ago, so the company could easily ramp up production since that time. Second, the recommended dose is only 5 doses, 2 the first day and one the others; Third, if one wait until he is declared infected before even begining to look for a place from where he can get the HCQ, he will receive it eventually after his funerals.

[happytulip in reply to fureteur]

Which is all something that you can discuss with your doctor.

I am in no position to change Canadian Healthcare policy.

I was merely commenting on what would happen if people with RA, MCTD, UCTD, Sjorgens, Lupus did not get their medication that helps keeps them alive.

A huge amount of anxiety was experienced in the Lupus Community when reports were made about HCQ and the charity here in the UK had to lobby the governor to ensure that there was enough for people with rheumatic disease.

I appreciate your anxiety. You came.on here asking a question. I think I answered it to the best of my ability, HCQ is prescribed by a doctor.

Let's hope that they get on top of this virus as soon as possible and lets hope that further achievements are made like with dexamethasone.

But I'm afraid I don't know how to help you any further, apart from. To say perhaps you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Thank you

[medway-lady]

I hope that admin remove this post it is not related to RA but seeking to obtain medication for somewhat dubious means purely for self interest. If I get banned for posting this then I'll be glad to go. I find it offensive and it beggars belief that anyone would try to obtain medication and seek to justify such action.

[Jme525]

HCQ has been shown numerous times to work for Covid. I am in the USA and I have taken it for years —I do have to have my eyes checked yearly. Dr has never mentioned any side effects except about the eyes. People —mostly healthcare workers and doctors—stockpiled the drug here when the President touted it’s use but I was still able to get my Plaquenil—HCQ With no problem. So I fully understand your anxiety about Covid. The reason initially people said it worked was because people taking HCQ in China did not catch Covid. Tom Hanks and his wife were both treated with that in Australia. No reason to be ‘not nice’ -rude-to someone inquiring because this is a stressful anxious time...everywhere. Good luck to you. Let’s all pray for a cure, treatment, vaccine soon! Sunshine doesn’t kill it because the heat index in Texas is 104 degrees today and Covid is still going strong!! God bless you all!

[shareasmile in reply to Jme525]

Just curious, do you think numbers are going up more in Texas because people are staying indoors for the A/C?

[nomoreheels in reply to Jme525]

In fact Tom Hanks & wife, Rita Wilson, were treated with chloroquine not hydroxychloroquine. Her actual version of the treatment received are as follows

A controversial drug heralded by some as a coronavirus cure comes with symptoms of its own, Rita Wilson says.

The actress, 63, says she was given chloroquine after she and husband Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19 while in Australia last month. The malaria treatment may or may not have helped her beat the virus, but it certainly gave her “extreme side effects,” she tells Gayle King on Tuesday’s “CBS This Morning.”

After getting the chloroquine, Wilson became “completely nauseous” and experienced vertigo and weakened muscles, she warns.

“We have to be very considerate about this drug,” she says. “We don’t know if it’s safe in this case.” nypost.com/2020/04/14/chlor...

[happytulip]

There was the head of healthcare for Arizona on the news tonight. He said "when you get sick who do you go to? A doctor or a politician?"

I thought he made a fair point.