NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Hydroxychloroquine

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

An antimalarial drug widely used as a DMARD for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Hydroxychloroquine is considered one of the safest DMARDs with a favorable side effect profile and is recommended in virtually all SLE patients unless contraindicated. It is often used in combination with methotrexate in RA.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2020–2025
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

An antimalarial drug widely used as a DMARD for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 200–400 mg daily (not exceeding 5 mg/kg/day to minimize retinal toxicity) (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • Disease modification in rheumatoid arthritis7
  • Essential therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus8
  • Improved survival in SLE patients
  • Favorable safety profile among DMARDs4
  • Lipid-lowering and anti-thrombotic properties2,8
What to watch for
  • Nausea and GI upset
  • Skin rash and hyperpigmentation
  • Retinal toxicity (bull's-eye maculopathy with long-term use)
  • Known hypersensitivity to hydroxychloroquine or 4-aminoquinolines1,2
  • Pre-existing retinal or macular disease

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: disease modification in rheumatoid arthritis, essential therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus, improved survival in sle patients. 10 sources indexed (2020–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Accumulates in lysosomes and raises intralysosomal pH, inhibiting antigen processing and presentation through MHC class II molecules. This reduces T-cell activation and the downstream inflammatory cascade. Hydroxychloroquine also inhibits Toll-like receptor (TLR7 and TLR9) signaling, reducing type I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Additional effects include inhibition of phospholipase A2 and platelet aggregation.

Class
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
200–400 mg daily (not exceeding 5 mg/kg/day to minimize retinal toxicity) (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Tablet

Take with food or milk to reduce GI side effects; very long tissue half-life means steady state takes months

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Nausea and GI upset
  • Skin rash and hyperpigmentation
  • Retinal toxicity (bull's-eye maculopathy with long-term use)
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • QT prolongation (rare)
  • Myopathy (rare, with long-term use)
  • Cardiomyopathy (very rare)

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to hydroxychloroquine or 4-aminoquinolines1,2
  • Pre-existing retinal or macular disease
  • Significant visual field changes from prior 4-aminoquinoline use
  • Long QT syndrome or concurrent QT-prolonging medications2
  • G6PD deficiency (use with caution)
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

6

Reference material

4
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Hydroxychloroquine, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Hydroxychloroquine?

An antimalarial drug widely used as a DMARD for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Hydroxychloroquine is considered one of the safest DMARDs with a favorable side effect profile and is recommended in virtually all SLE patients unless contraindicated. It is often used in combination with methotrexate in RA.

What is Hydroxychloroquine used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Hydroxychloroquine include: Disease modification in rheumatoid arthritis; Essential therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus; Improved survival in SLE patients; Favorable safety profile among DMARDs; Lipid-lowering and anti-thrombotic properties. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Hydroxychloroquine?

A typical adult dose of Hydroxychloroquine is 200–400 mg daily (not exceeding 5 mg/kg/day to minimize retinal toxicity) (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Hydroxychloroquine?

Reported side effects include nausea and gi upset, skin rash and hyperpigmentation, retinal toxicity (bull's-eye maculopathy with long-term use), headache, dizziness, qt prolongation (rare). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Hydroxychloroquine?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Hydroxychloroquine in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.