What is "hydroxychloroquine"

n. An antimalarial drug used to reduce inflammation in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

n. anti-inflammatory drug (trade name Plaquenil) used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and malaria and lupus erythematosus [syn: Plaquenil]

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), sold under the trade names Plaquenil among others, is an antimalarial medication. It is also used to reduce inflammation in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (see disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) and lupus. Hydroxychloroquine differs from chloroquine by the presence of a hydroxyl group at the end of the side chain: the N-ethyl substituent is beta-hydroxylated. It is available for administration by mouth as hydroxychloroquine sulfate.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.