Plaquenil

Plaquenil is a prescription medicine used for treating and preventing certain types of malaria. It is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The medication comes in tablet form and is taken once a week to prevent malaria (starting two weeks before anticipated exposure) and once or twice daily for other uses. Potential side effects of Plaquenil include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches.

 

What Is Plaquenil?

Plaquenil® (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is a prescription medication approved for the following uses:
 
  • To prevent and treat certain types of malaria infections
  • To treat lupus (including systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic discoid lupus)
  • To treat rheumatoid arthritis.
     
(Click Plaquenil Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Brand-name Plaquenil is manufactured by sanofi-aventis. Several different manufacturers make a generic version of Plaquenil.
 

How Does It Work?

Plaquenil works to prevent and treat malaria by entering red blood cells (which are infected by the malaria bacteria), entering the bacteria, and interfering with the internal functions of the bacteria. It probably works for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis by limiting the immune system reactions that cause these diseases.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;