Hydroxychloroquine

Pronounced hy-drox-i-KLOR-oh-kwin

Brand names: Plaquenil

Type: Antimalarial and immune-modulating medicine · All Other Medicines

What Hydroxychloroquine is used for

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Malaria prevention and treatment

◆ Kidney note

Widely used to protect the kidneys in lupus (lupus nephritis); the dose may be lowered in severe kidney impairment.

Common side effects

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Rash

Important cautions

  • Can damage the retina with long-term use — regular eye examinations are essential
  • Can affect heart rhythm in susceptible people

How it comes

Tablets. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.