Is Hydroxychloroquine a Painkiller?

Hydroxychloroquine Tablet is not primarily used as a painkiller. It is classified as an antimalarial and immunosuppressant drug, mainly prescribed to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. Its mechanism of action involves suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation, rather than directly targeting pain relief.
In the context of rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, hydroxychloroquine helps alleviate joint pain and swelling by modulating the immune response that causes these symptoms. However, it does not function in the same way as common painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids, which work by blocking pain signals or reducing inflammation through different pathways.
There was some interest in hydroxychloroquine early in the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential treatment, but subsequent research showed it was not effective for this purpose and had potential risks. Therefore, it is important to use hydroxychloroquine only as prescribed by a healthcare provider for its approved indications.