Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is still used today to treat RA — great question! It's been around since the 1940s and remains a commonly prescribed medication.
It belongs to a class of drugs called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), which work to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of RA rather than Show Full Answer
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is still used today to treat RA — great question! It's been around since the 1940s and remains a commonly prescribed medication.
It belongs to a class of drugs called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), which work to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of RA rather than just masking symptoms. As for effectiveness, it is considered a well-established treatment option for RA. However, like all medications, it works differently for different people.
A few important things to keep in mind:
- It's often used in combination with other DMARDs like methotrexate
- Stopping it abruptly can raise the risk of a disease flare, so always consult a rheumatologist before making any changes
- Over 12,000 myRAteam members report using it, which speaks to how widely it's prescribed
The best person to assess whether it's the right fit is a rheumatologist, who can tailor the approach based on individual needs and disease activity.
May 8