Which medication is commonly used in the management of SLE and is known by the brand Plaquenil?

• A. Methotrexate
• B. Prednisone
• C. Azathioprine
• D. Hydroxychloroquine

Answer: (D)

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug used as a disease-modifying therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Plaquenil is the brand name for hydroxychloroquine, which is commonly prescribed to control skin and joint symptoms and to reduce disease flares, often being used long-term to allow tapering of steroids. Its immunomodulatory effects help modulate the immune response in lupus without the broad immunosuppression seen with high-dose steroids. The other medications listed have different roles in lupus management but are not the drug associated with the brand Plaquenil: prednisone is a corticosteroid used for flares, methotrexate and azathioprine are immunosuppressants/DMARDs used for various lupus manifestations, particularly more severe or organ-specific disease. Hydroxychloroquine also carries a risk of retinal toxicity with long-term use, so routine eye monitoring is important.