Analysis of Hydroxychloroquine Adverse Events Reported in the WHO Pharmacovigilance Database

The drug hydroxychloroquine has been in use for a very long time. It is most frequently used to prevent and cure malaria. Hydroxychloroquine has been linked to a number of side effects, with stomach pain being the most frequent. This study used the WHO pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase) for analysis of adverse events related to hydroxychloroquine use. Till 29 June 2022, 34649 reports about the adverse events of hydroxychloroquine were submitted to the WHO pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase). The most reported side effects were general disorders and administration site conditions (37.01%), skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (21.37%), gastrointestinal disorders (18.53%), injury, poisoning, and procedural complications (16.15%), musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (12.71%), investigations (12.00%), nervous system disorders (10.84%), infections and infestations (8.49%), and eye disorders (8.24%). Even though reports of adverse events cannot pinpoint the cause, additional research into some cases might be necessary. Our findings demonstrate the importance of pharmacovigilance and the necessity to inform medical professionals about the safety of hydroxychloroquine.