Hydroxychloroquine is a type of medicine called a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It works by blocking the effects of the chemicals released when your immune system attacks your body.
It's used to treat inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (inflammation of joints in children) and lupus.
It's also used to treat some other skin conditions including sarcoidosis, photosensitive skin disorders (where your skin reacts to sunlight), lichen planus and urticarial vasculitis.
Hydroxychloroquine reduces swelling (inflammation), pain and stiffness of joints, and can improve or clear up some rashes.
It's sometimes used with another DMARD such as methotrexate or a short course of steroids to relieve pain.
Hydroxychloroquine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets.
Key facts
- For conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and skin conditions, you'll usually take 1 or 2 hydroxychloroquine tablets every day.
- It may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in your condition.
- Side effects can include stomach pain, feeling or being sick and skin rashes.
- Hydroxychloroquine can make you more likely to get infections. Try to avoid close contact with people who you know are unwell.
- Hydroxychloroquine can affect your eyes. You will need to have your eyes examined every year if you have taken it for more than 5 years. These yearly eye examinations may start earlier if you're at increased risk of problems.
- If you take hydroxychloroquine for a long time, you may need to have full blood counts (tests to check the types and numbers of cells in your blood) and muscle function tests.