PTCE Top 200 · #131

Hydroxychloroquine

Plaquenil

Hydroxychloroquine is the generic name for the brand-name drug Plaquenil. It is an antimalarial (dmard) used to treat RA, lupus, malaria. On the PTCE Top 200 drug list, Hydroxychloroquine ranks #131 and is one of the most frequently tested rheumatology/immunology medications — commonly quizzed on its brand–generic pair, drug class, and key side effects.

Generic name	Hydroxychloroquine
Brand name(s)	Plaquenil
Drug class	Antimalarial (DMARD)
Class group	Rheumatology/Immunology
Common use	RA, lupus, malaria
DEA schedule	Unscheduled
Availability	Prescription only (Rx)

What is Hydroxychloroquine used for?

Treatment of malaria; treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

What drug class is Hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine is an Antimalarial (DMARD) in the Rheumatology/Immunology group. Knowing the class is the fastest way to predict its uses, side effects, and the brand↔generic pairs the PTCE tests.

Common side effects of Hydroxychloroquine

arrow_rightNausea
arrow_rightDiarrhea
arrow_rightAbdominal pain
arrow_rightHeadache
arrow_rightRash
arrow_rightItching

Major interactions

arrow_rightQT-prolonging drugs (e.g., amiodarone, macrolides) → arrhythmia risk
arrow_rightDigoxin → may increase digoxin levels
arrow_rightAntidiabetic meds → hypoglycemia risk
arrow_rightAntacids may reduce absorption (separate dosing)

Is Hydroxychloroquine a controlled substance?

No. Hydroxychloroquine is not a federally controlled substance (it is unscheduled by the DEA).

How to remember Hydroxychloroquine (PTCE mnemonic)

PLAQUE-nil PLAQUEs less — hydroxychloroquine for RA/lupus/malaria. RETINOPATHY (annual eye exams after 5 yrs); QT prolongation; slow onset (3-6 mo).

lightbulb

PTCE exam tip

Hydroxychloroquine's signature monitoring is regular EYE exams for retinal toxicity — and Plaquenil / Platinol is a LASA pair worth flagging.