Took A Once A Week Antimalarial Medication (probably Hydroxychloroquine )

Posted on Sat, 8 Feb 2020

Question: Took a once a week antimalarial medication (probably hydroxychloroquine) every day for about 4-5 days before I learned what the actual dose was. During that time I had diarrhea but didn't question it. It's been almost a month since then and I've definitely lost weight. According to my biotracker scale (the kind that sends a pulse through your body to determine composition), I've lost a not insignificant amount of bone mass as well as muscle atrophy and some fat. People are even saying I look a bit sickly. How much have I fucked my body up?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Biotracker scales are not completely accurate.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service
I read your query and here is my advice.

The biotracker scales are not completely accurate.
I think you may have lost some weight because of diarrhea but since it was not something to worry you at that moment it seems not much significant.
Also hydrochloroquin makes your skin pale and together with weight loss may have caused you to look as you say " sickly".
If you are worried about bone mass you can do a bone densitometry test also do a total blood count with formula and biochemical blood balance, electrolytes and vitamin D.
If tests come out normal you don't have to worry about anything.
You may increase physical activity especially lifting weights in order to increase muscle mass.

Hope I have answered the question .
Let me know if I can assist you further.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng