A have been used to treat rheumatic diseases for more than a century [1]. In evaluating these medications over the last four decades, three clinical characteristics have become better understood: effectiveness, safety and an expanding number of conditions for which these drugs may be used. Although much work has been expended to elucidate mechanisms of action, those relevant to antimalarial effect on rheumatic diseases have not yet been confirmed. Three antimalarials are now employed to treat connective tissue diseases: chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and quinacrine. The latter drug is used at present only for patients with lupus skin lesions who fail to respond to one of the other drugs or who cannot take them. Quinacrine is not used more often for long-term therapy because it imparts a yellowish discolouration to the skin.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Richard I. Rynes (1997) studied this question.