Many rheumatology patients are taking hydroxychloroquine, but when they read the instructions, many of them are shocked by the “side effects” listed. Is it that bad? Why do rheumatologists like to use it so much? What exactly does it do? Are there many side effects? The predecessor of hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, was originally widely used as an antimalarial drug, but after more and more drugs were used, it was found that the drug had a very good effect on rheumatism, making it very widely used in rheumatism. The reason is that it has many effects, not only the role of regulating immunity, but also many other accompanying effects, and its relatively small side effects and safety of use, making it a rare and good drug. His “positive effects” in general are as follows: 1. Immunomodulation: many rheumatic diseases are treated with hydroxychloroquine, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, etc., which can regulate immunity and reduce disease activity. 2.Photoprotective effect: SLE patients are often photosensitive, and its photoprotective effect can reduce skin damage and stabilize cell membranes in SLE patients, so it has also become the cornerstone of SLE treatment. 3. Hypoglycemic effect: Studies and clinical trials have shown that hydroxychloroquine has a certain effect on lowering blood sugar, and the frequent use of hormones in rheumatology can lead to increased blood sugar. The use of hydroxychloroquine can offset to a certain extent the hyperglycemic state after the use of hormones and play a certain protective role; reduce insulin dosage and insulin resistance. 4.Lowering blood lipid: Some scholars found that hydroxychloroquine can improve the blood lipid profile and have an infectious effect on blood lipid. 5.Anti-infection: The most common drugs used in rheumatic immune diseases are “hormones” and “immunosuppressants”, all of which can increase the chance of infection. Only hydroxychloroquine is both anti-infective and immune regulating. Although its anti-infective effect is very inefficient, but it can not only play a role in controlling the disease, but also a weak anti-infective effect, why not? 6. Reduce the hypercoagulable state brought by hormones. It can be seen that hydroxychloroquine brings more risks of benefits, so how about his adverse reactions? In fact, the adverse reactions of hydroxychloroquine occur less clinically, although many are listed in the instructions, but the clinical observation down to its adverse reactions are less. Mainly: 1, a small number of people can appear eye lesions (incidence of about 0.1 per thousand) – the incidence is low, but requires an annual eye examination, if the eyes appear blurred vision, see things with defects, etc. need to be as soon as possible ophthalmology consultation, if necessary, to stop the drug. 2, a small number of people will appear skin pigmentation, that is, skin color darkening, affecting the aesthetic. Beauty lovers can stop the drug in time. For those who are too concerned about the appearance of discomfort, you can also stop the drug. Very few patients can cause heart block, but we have not found a single case after years of use. It can be seen that hydroxychloroquine as a class of drugs for rheumatism, the risk benefit is relatively large, patients do not need to be “scared” by the instructions, follow the doctor’s instructions to take.