• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Side effects

  Mild (diarrhea, skin rash)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Advice & Tips: After a few months of break from this drug, my new rheumatologist wants me back on it. So far, no side effects like last time.

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Side effects

  Mild (diarrhea, skin rash)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Advice & Tips: I started taking hydroxychloroquine as soon as I was diagnosed with lupus. I had a lesion on my nose (a white bump) that disappeared after a month of taking the drug (the bump had been there for over a year). I had hives when I started the drug (dosage 200mg) and my doctor told me to take the drug every other day until my body got used to it. Once the hives ended, I started taking it everyday, and after a year, my dosage was increased to 400 mg. At the highest, I took 600mg, but only for 6 months, and the dosage was decreased again to 400 mg, which I took for 3 years. I just stopped the drug 2 weeks ago on my own, cold-turkey, and have had no adverse reactions. If anything, I feel and look healthier than I have in years.

• Effectiveness

  Major (for mixed connective tissue disease)
• Side effects

  Moderate (flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: The best is to take this medication at night so that you sleep through any side effects, I also find drinking milk really really helps reduce side effects. Do not eat brussel sprouts with this medication unless you want your partner to kick you out of bed (toot-toot)

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for rheumatoid arthritis)
• Side effects

  None
• Adherence

  Never taken as prescribed
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly