Patient Education
Information we provide on www.joint-docs.com and any other source or links from our site is not intended to provide medical advice. Information on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Use of this site does not establish a doctor patient relationship. To diagnose or treat a health problem, for questions regarding a medical condition, or prior to starting any new treatment, you should consult with a qualified healthcare provider. For medical matters, please contact your doctor’s office by telephone. In emergency situations, call 911.
Despite new and more effective treatments, many arthritis patients live with chronic pain and disability. Some people turn to herbal medicines and other "natural" remedies in the belief that they are effective and safer than conventional medications. Unfortunately, most information available to the public about these remedies in the media and on the internet is misleading. It is not based on the quality of scientific evidence required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of conventional medications. The purpose of this patient fact sheet is to provide you with objective, sound information so that you can make informed decisions, and to enable you to discuss with your physician the benefits and risks of natural remedies.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is considered a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), because it can decrease the pain and swelling of arthritis, and it may prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
