Chloroquine and hydroxychloroyuine therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract One hundred and ninety‐six poorly controlled rheumatoid arthritics were divided into three groups: 80 received chloroquine, 80 hydroxychloroquine, and 36 placebo, for an average duration of 24, 18 and 5.2 months respectively. Fifty‐seven per cent of patients were able to reduce or abolish their corticosteroid requirements while on the active drugs under study. It appeared from this study that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine possessed definite antirheuniatic effect. No serious side effects were observed.