Antimalarial DMARDs
Also known as: Hydroxychloroquine and related disease-modifying drugs
MedlinePlus places hydroxychloroquine in a group of medicines called antimalarials and also describes it as an antirheumatic drug. The NHS describes it as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that works by blocking the effects of chemicals released when the immune system attacks the body. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists publishes eye-monitoring recommendations for users of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.
- Also called
- Hydroxychloroquine and related disease-modifying drugs
Mechanism of action
Reviews describe hydroxychloroquine building up in lysosomes and disrupting how immune cells process antigens, and one review notes that its exact mechanism has not been fully worked out.
Members of the class
Members with a page on this site are linked.
Conditions treated
Cautions
- Retinal damage from these medicines is largely irreversible, so eye monitoring is recommended.
- The Royal College says extra risk factors can justify eye monitoring from the start of treatment, as decided by the prescriber.
- The Royal College says chloroquine appears to be more retinotoxic than hydroxychloroquine.
Class warnings
- NRAS advises contacting the GP or specialist team about any change in vision. UK
Class interactions
| With | Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tamoxifen | The Royal College lists tamoxifen use as a factor that can justify eye monitoring from the start of treatment. | UK |
Open the Drug Interaction Checker
Connected pages in detail
What each linked page on Anatomy Nexus covers, in a line, for Antimalarial DMARDs.
Conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis A chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the synovial lining of joints.
Medications
- Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and some skin conditions.