Hydroxychloroquine Medication Review

June, 2025

Hydroxychloroquine is a cornerstone therapy in rheumatology, offering significant benefits for mild rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus. In this video, Jessica Farrell, PharmD, clinical pharmacist in rheumatology at Albany Medical Center and faculty at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, explores the dosing, safety, and clinical applications of hydroxychloroquine.

Jessica Farrell explains the weight-based dosing strategy (5 mg/kg/day) to minimize the risk of retinal toxicity, discusses its crucial role in lupus management, and highlights its use during pregnancy, particularly in patients with anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies to help prevent neonatal heart block. She also shares clinical pearls on managing tolerability issues, including desensitization protocols for patients who experience mild hypersensitivity reactions.

For more expert insights on rheumatology treatments and the latest clinical updates, visit RhAPP.org and explore the RhAPP ACE 2.0 App for digital education.

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