Hydroxychloroquine (also called Plaquenil)

•Hydroxychloroquine is taken as one or more pills daily.

•It is a very effective treatment for lupus skin disease.

•Hydroxychloroquine also has other benefits:

    –It treats fatigue and joint pain.

    –It decreases organ damage due to lupus

    –It decreases the risk of blood clots.

    –It improves good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol.

    –It is safe to use during pregnancy.

•It decreases the risk of death due to lupus

•Hydroxychloroquine also reduces the risk of flares, and so doctors recommend that all patients with lupus take it over the long-term.

•Hydroxychloroquine can rarely cause vision problems. To prevent this, you will be monitored by an eye doctor.