Current use of hydroxychloroquine was associated with a significantly decreased risk for cardiovascular events among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Canadian researchers found. So If you take the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) as part of your treatment for lupus, you may be getting cardiovascular protection as an added bonus.

If you’re taking hydroxycholoroquine and are concerned about your dosage and how it may affect your heart disease risk or the odds of vision problems, talk to your rheumatologist and ophthalmologist to understand your risk factors and make the right decision for you.

For the full research article please click here.