Drug name

Main indication

Mechanism of action

Drug toxicity

Contraindications

Hydroxychloroquine

Malaria prophylaxis, systemic lupus.

Raises lysosomal pH in antigen-presenting cells to prevents viral fusion and entry to host cell.

QTc prolongation, hypokalaemia, torsades de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, and fibrillation, sudden cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinolone, pre-existing maculopathy of eye, pregnancy.

Dexamethasone

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorder, inflammation, mild croup, macular oedema.

Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Increased susceptibility of infection, impaired healing, osteoporosis, hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, metabolic acidosis.

Systemic infection and immunocompromised patients.

Naproxen

Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute gout, dysmenorrhoea.

Inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to reduce prostaglandin synthesis.

Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, lethargy, and drowsiness.

Hypersensitivity to NSAIDS, pregnancy, severe hepatic, heart, renal failure.

Etoricoxib

Rheumatoid arthritis, acute gout, acute pain.

Inhibits COX-2, prevents prostaglandin production.

Gastrointestinal and cardiorenal events.

Hypersensitivity to NSAIDS, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, pregnancy and lactation, severe hepatic impairment.

Ibuprofen

Mild to moderate pain from dysmenorrhea, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, pyrexia.

Blocks COX-1 and COX-2, decreases prostaglandin synthesis involved in inflammation, pain, fever and swelling.

CNS depression; rarely metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure, liver failure, hyperkalaemia, respiratory depression, and cyanosis.

Hypersensitivity to ibuprofen, severe hepatic, renal or heart failure, asthmatic patients, heart diseases, gastrointestinal bleeding.