{"id":628374,"date":"2024-05-24T13:09:10","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T17:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628374"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:56:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:56:36","slug":"hydroxychloroquine-for-lupus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hydroxychloroquine-for-lupus\/","title":{"rendered":"How does hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hydroxychloroquine-sulfate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a generic prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and erythematosus lupus. It&rsquo;s also sold under the brand name <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/plaquenil\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plaquenil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Hydroxychloroquine is considered a first-line treatment for autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as lupus. It&rsquo;s been shown to reduce lupus flare-ups and help prevent long-term damage from flares.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hydroxychloroquine-sulfate\/what-is\"><b>What is Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate: Uses, Warnings &amp; Interactions<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-does-hydroxychloroquine-do-for-lupus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does hydroxychloroquine do for Lupus?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lupus is an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/autoimmune-disease-symptoms\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">autoimmune condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body&rsquo;s own healthy tissues. According to the Lupus Foundation of America (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lupus.org\/resources\/what-is-lupus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LFA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), there are four different types of lupus, which include:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cutaneous lupus, which causes skin problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug-induced lupus&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neonatal lupus&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common is SLE, which is often treated with hydroxychloroquine. Systemic lupus erythematosus can range from mild to severe and involves inflammation of multiple systems in the body. Inflammation can be acute (joint pain during a lupus flare, for example) or chronic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Hydroxychloroquine is a cornerstone medication used in the treatment of lupus,&rdquo; says board-certified rheumatologist <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.txortho.com\/provider\/joseph-r-martinez\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph R. Martinez, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, of Texas Orthopedics. According to the LFA, hydroxychloroquine is so effective that patients are on it for a long time&mdash;even for life.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though the drug&#8217;s mechanism of action is complex and still not fully understood, according to a 2022 research review published in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8848057\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the beneficial effect is clear: hydroxychloroquine disrupts inflammatory pathways in people who have SLE.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;The role of hydroxychloroquine is to reduce inflammation, reduce inflammation flares, and prevent blood clots and organ damage,&rdquo; explains <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digestivereset.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inna Melamed, Pharm.D., FASCP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a functional medicine practitioner and author of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digestive Reset<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine is not a fast-acting medication, so patience is important. Dr. Melamed says it takes six to 12 weeks to know if the drug is working, and Dr. Martinez estimates that it might take three to six months for patients to notice the benefits.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Melamed says those benefits include reducing symptoms like pain and joint swelling, &ldquo;The patient would also need the doctor to examine the joint swelling.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"side-effects-of-hydroxychloroquine-for-lupus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side effects of hydroxychloroquine for lupus<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it may still cause side effects. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rheumatology.org\/patients\/hydroxychloroquine-plaquenil\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American College of Rheumatology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the most common side effects when starting hydroxychloroquine are nausea and diarrhea. These should go away as your body adjusts to the new medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/meds\/a601240.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> associated with hydroxychloroquine use include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hair loss or hair color change<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less common but serious adverse effects from hydroxychloroquine include hypoglycemia, irreversible vision problems marked by blurred vision and black spots, heart rhythm problems, and thoughts of suicide. Get medical help from a healthcare provider immediately if any of these symptoms occur.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight gain is not a known side effect of hydroxychloroquine. Some people taking Plaquenil, a brand-name version of hydroxychloroquine, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=34496b43-05a2-45fb-a769-52b12e099341\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have reported<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> weight loss as an adverse reaction to the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hydroxychloroquine-for-lupus-dosage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus dosage<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine falls under two classifications: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/antimalarials\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antimalarial drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/antirheumatics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DMARDs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The recommended dosage for hydroxychloroquine depends on the condition being treated. The most common dose for lupus patients is 200&ndash;400 mg per day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher doses may be associated with a lower risk of flares. A 2022 study in the <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2796634\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Journal of the American Medical Association<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;suggested that patients taking a daily hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose below 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight experienced more flares than those taking a higher dose. However, the 5 mg per kg guideline has been promoted to lower the risk of serious eye problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only a healthcare provider with a complete picture of the patient&#8217;s medical history, conditions, and other prescription medications can decide the best dosage for each person with lupus. Most people with lupus take hydroxychloroquine or another DMARD for life.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never stop taking hydroxychloroquine or adjust your daily dose without seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional. Stopping hydroxychloroquine pills may cause worsening lupus symptoms and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/lupus-flare-symptoms\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">higher risk of lupus flares<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hydroxychloroquine-risks-and-interactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine risks and interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for anyone who has had an allergic reaction to hydroxychloroquine or other similar antimalarial drugs. Hydroxychloroquine may also be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=34496b43-05a2-45fb-a769-52b12e099341\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">risky for people who have<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart rhythm problems or heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high risk for eye damage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psoriasis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porphyria or certain enzyme deficiencies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A history of psychiatric conditions or thoughts of suicide<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes or a risk for low blood sugar<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before starting hydroxychloroquine, it&#8217;s essential to give your healthcare provider complete information about your family or personal medical history and any medications and supplements you take. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Also, ask your healthcare provider to explain the risks associated with hydroxychloroquine use, such as irreversible eye problems and dangerously low blood sugar.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug interactions can occur while taking hydroxychloroquine. Anyone taking this prescription drug should avoid the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tagamet (cimetidine), a stomach acid reducer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking antacids within 4 hours of hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking kaolin within 4 hours of hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some medications can interfere with the way hydroxychloroquine works or increase the risk of serious side effects. Again, it is vital to tell your prescriber about any medicines, supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies you&#8217;re taking before starting this drug.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research suggests hydroxychloroquine doesn&#8217;t increase sun sensitivity. However, according to the LFA, two-thirds of people with lupus<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extra sensitive to ultraviolet rays. It&#8217;s a good idea for people with lupus to be vigilant about sun protection, whether or not they&#8217;re taking hydroxychloroquine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"alternatives-to-hydroxychloroquine-for-lupus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatives to hydroxychloroquine for lupus<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydroxychloroquine isn&#8217;t the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/lupus-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only medication used to treat lupus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but it is often the drug of choice. Dr. Martinez says alternative drugs do not work the same way but can be beneficial for specific, targeted areas of lupus, such as lupus of the kidneys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with lupus who cannot take hydroxychloroquine may be prescribed more than one drug as an alternative. Autoimmune diseases can vary from person to person, so it&#8217;s important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Melamed says prescription alternatives to hydroxychloroquine for lupus include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/saphnelo\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saphnelo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/monoclonal-antibodies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monoclonal antibody<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> intravenous (IV) infusion, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/benlysta\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benlysta<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a monoclonal antibody injection. &#8220;They have a very different mechanism of action and are quite pricey,&#8221; she notes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lupus.org\/resources\/medications-used-to-treat-lupus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> used to treat lupus include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chloroquine (Aralen), another antimalarial<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immunosuppressants such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), or voclosporin (Lupkynis)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The experts agree: Though they&#8217;re no substitute for a prescription treatment plan, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can relieve some lupus symptoms. &#8220;In the more integrative world, naturopathic physicians recommend Boswellia, turmeric, ginger root extract, and enzymatic anti-inflammatory blends,&#8221; adds Dr. Melamed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, lupus affects everyone differently. Some forms are more severe than others and require particular medications for the best treatment results. Always consult a healthcare provider with expertise in autoimmune conditions like lupus before adding to or changing your treatment regimen.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hydroxychloroquine is a generic prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and erythematosus lupus. It&rsquo;s also sold under the brand name Plaquenil. Hydroxychloroquine is considered a first-line treatment for autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as lupus. It&rsquo;s been shown to reduce lupus flare-ups and help prevent long-term [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":628375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[790],"coauthors":[20942],"class_list":["post-628374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-chronic-disease","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus: Side effects and dosage<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment for Lupus and may help to reduce flares. The most common dosage is 200-400 mg per day. 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The most common dosage is 200-400 mg per day. 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