How Does Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) Work to Treat Lupus?

The brand drug Plaquenil and its generic, hydroxychloroquine, was initially developed as an anti-malarial drug in the 1940s. However, it has since been discovered that hydroxychloroquine, which is the active ingredient in Plaquenil is effective in treating lupus. Here’s what to know about how Plaquenil works to treat lupus.

##What is lupus?

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, caused by the body’s immune system attacking healthy tissue, like the skin, joints, and internal organs including the kidneys and heart. When this happens, it can cause pain, inflammation, and other symptoms in different parts of the body. Anyone can develop lupus, but the disease is not contagious.

How does Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) treat lupus?

Plaquenil and its generic hydroxychloroquine are anti-parasite drugs that were first used to treat and prevent malaria. Plaquenil works to treat lupus by inhibiting overactive immune cells. This helps to reduce inflammation.

Plaquenil and other antimalarials may also reduce the risk of lupus spreading and affecting other parts of the body like the kidneys, brain, and spinal cord.

Plaquenil, hydroxychloroquine, and other antimalarials treat symptoms of lupus by providing the following benefits:

• Fewer flare-ups
• Fewer flare-ups during pregnancy
• Less long-term damage to organs
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Reduced sensitivity to light

How long does Plaquenil take to treat lupus?

Plaquenil and hydroxychloroquine are not fast-acting medications. It may take 1-3 months to begin to feel better, once you begin antimalarial treatment for lupus.

Since Plaquenil is extremely safe over time and has few side effects for most people, it’s now common for people with lupus to take it over their entire lifetime. However, Plaquenil and other malaria drugs are usually only part of an overall treatment plan for lupus.

While these medications can help manage pain and inflammation, they’re not enough to control more severe symptoms of lupus, like damage to the nervous system, blood vessels, and kidneys. If the disease progresses, your health care provider may prescribe stronger, immunosuppressive medications to control the damage.

Additional Antimalarial Drugs to Treat Lupus

During World War II, researchers found that the immunosuppressive properties of Plaquenil and other malaria drugs also made it an effective treatment for lupus.

Antimalarials are often used in combination with other drugs to treat lupus symptoms, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as immunosuppressants and steroids to treat inflammation and swelling.

RxSaver Coupons for 6 Drugs to Treat Lupus

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Ask Your Health Care Provider About Plaquenil

If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus, talk to your health care provider about whether Plaquenil or hydroxychloroquine is right for you. In addition to prescription medication, your health care provider will likely discuss the ways healthy lifestyle changes can help keep lupus under control and improve quality of life while living with the disease.

Managing and reducing stress, getting plenty of sleep and rest, getting moderate exercise, and eating a healthy diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, can reduce lupus flare-ups and help you live a long, healthy life.

Hydroxychloroquine: 200 mg / 30 tablets

Chloroquine: 250 mg / 30 tablets

Azathioprine: 50 mg / 30 tablets

Prednisone: 20 mg / 30 tablets

Hydrocortisone: 1 % / 1 tube

Methylprednisolone: 4 mg / 1 tab ds pk

*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 1/22/2021. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.