Page last updated 14/06/2024

The Blackrock brand of hydroxychloroquine 200mg and 300mg tablets are currently in stock. The 200mg tablet came back into stock in June 2024, and it’s possible there will be regional differences in how quickly it is available.

What is hydroxychloroquine and why do different brands matter?

Hydroxychloroquine is generally the first line of treatment for someone who has been diagnosed with lupus. It is used for skin and joint involvement, muscle inflammation, fever, fatigue, pleurisy, to reduce the development of renal (kidney) disease and chronic damage, and for its steroid-sparing properties. It is one of the few licensed drugs for lupus and there is good evidence for its efficacy and safety.

There are a few different versions of hydroxychloroquine available in the UK – every version includes the same amount of the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine, but may have different ‘fillers’, which are inactive substances which are used to make the tablet bigger or easier to process. There isn’t one particular brand which is ‘best’, as all people with lupus may react to medications to differently, so it’s important to find a version that suits you.

You can find more information about hydroxychloroquine and different brands in our article HERE.

What is happening with Blackrock hydroxychloroquine tablets?

• Blackrock 200mg hydroxychloroquine tablets are in stock in England, Wales, and Scotland, and pharmacies can order them through Alliance Healthcare.
• Blackrock 300mg hydroxychloroquine tablets are in stock everywhere in the UK, and pharmacies can order them through Alliance Healthcare.

 

What do I do if my pharamcist says the 200mg Blackrock hydroxychloroquine is still out of stock?

The 200mg tablet came back into stock in June 2024, though it may take some time for stock levels to return to normal in all areas. However, your pharmacist should be able to order the Blackrock version specifically using the specific product code for those tablets (called a “PIP code”). The PIP code for the 200mg Blackrock hydroxychloroquine is 1169523.

Sometimes different pharmacies use different suppliers, so you could also try taking your prescription to a different pharmacy chain or independent. Currently, a supplier called Alliance have stock of the 200mg tablet. Alliance is one of the largest suppliers of medicines to pharmacies, including large chains such as Boots and smaller independent pharmacies.

Having Blackrock listed specifically on your prescription can also help, as it means the pharmacist must dispense that version if it is in stock at their suppliers and they can order it.

What if I live in Northern Ireland and need Blackrock hydroxychloroquine?

As of May 2023, the 300mg Blackrock tablets are also available in Northern Ireland.

The 200mg Blackrock tablets will not be available in Northern Ireland. If your prescription is for 200mg, you could try the Zentiva version, which has a very similar formulation to Blackrock. If you have a prescription for 200mg but take 400mg and 200mg on alternate days, you could talk to your doctor to see if it would be appropriate to change your regimen to 300mg per day.

Further information

If you need a specific formulation of hydroxychloroquine, such as Blackrock or Zentiva, you can ask for your prescriber to specifically state this on the prescription (i.e. “hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg – Blackrock or Zentiva version only” rather than simply “hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg). This may help you to obtain the specific brand you need. More information about this can be found in our article on hydroxychloroquine prescriptions HERE.

 

If your GP or pharmacy is experiencing difficulty ordering Blackrock hydroxychloroquine or requires more information, they can contact Blackrock Pharmaceuticals:
Email: customerservices@blackrockpharma.com
Phone: 0115 9890841