Hydroxychloroquine

Updated February 2023

What is hydroxychloroquine?

Download button - information sheetHydroxycholoroquine is a medication used to treat certain childhood rheumatic conditions (diseases which may affect joints, muscles, skin or eyes). It is most commonly used to treat lupus (also known as SLE). Hydroxycholoroquine was originally designed to treat malaria.

It is a medication that works by modifying the way the immune system works. It reduces the damage done by inflammation, rather than just reducing pain. Because of this, it is called a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). Other medications in this group include leflunomide, methotrexate and sulfasalazine.