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Also indexed as: Plaquenil
Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria and to treat both acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It is in a class of drugs known as antimalarials.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. | Calcium* Vitamin D* |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better. | Vitamin B6* |
 Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. | Magnesium* |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Adverse interaction | None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Normally, the active form of vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium into the body. In a 45-year-old woman with sarcoidosis, taking hydroxychloroquine blocked the formation of active vitamin D, which helped normalize elevated blood levels of calcium in this case.1 Whether hydroxychloroquine has this effect in people who don’t have sarcoidosis or elevated calcium is unknown. Until controlled research explores this interaction more thoroughly, people taking hydroxychloroquine might consider having their vitamin D and/or calcium status monitored by a health practitioner.
Vitamin B6
An individual who took hydroxychloroquine and vitamin B6 together for nine years experienced a complete disappearance of skin nodules caused by rheumatoid arthritis.2 Controlled study is needed to determine whether taking vitamin B6 with or without hydroxychloroquine might help eliminate nodules in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Magnesium
Magnesium supplementation may reduce blood levels of chloroquine, a compound similar to hydroxychloroquine, and decrease its effectiveness.3 Until more is known, people taking hydroxychloroquine for arthritis who are also using magnesium supplements and are not experiencing relief might try avoiding the supplements or taking them at separate times.
Interaction with Foods and Other Compounds –––
Hydroxychloroquine should be taken with food to avoid possible stomach upset.4
1. Barre PE, Gascon-Barre M, Meakins JL, Goltzman D. Hydroxychloroquine treatment of hypercalcemia in a patient with sarcoidosis undergoing hemodialysis. Am J Med 1987;82:1259–62.
2. McCarty DJ. Complete reversal of rheumatoid nodulosis. J Rheumatology 1991;18:736–7.
3. Olin BR, ed. Anti-infectives, Antimalarial Preparations, 4-Aminoquinoline Compounds. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1913–6.
4. Olin BR, ed. Anti-infectives, Antimalarial Preparations, 4-Aminoquinoline Compounds. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1913–6.
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Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.
