The drugs quinacrine, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine were all developed as antimalarials but found new applications in treating chronic conditions. The conditions that benefit most from these drugs are those that involve inflammatory processes such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. While the exact mechanism of action is not known, many rheumatologists prescribe these medications because of their proven success in relieving symptoms like pain and swelling and preventing the recurrence of…

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is a treatment that is being studied for a variety of chronic conditions that affect inflammatory processes in the body. One chronic condition that LDN is being used to treat is rheumatoid arthritis, which affects more than 1.3 million Americans. While the clinical research for this particular application is preliminary, patients are already finding that regular treatment with LDN improves their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Patient reports…

Lupus is a disorder that causes the immune system to target the body’s own tissues and organs leading to inflammation. Several drugs that initially were used to prevent or treat malaria are now also used for treating lupus including quinacrine, chloroquine, and hydroxychlorquine. These drugs treat lupus symptoms by mildly suppressing the immune system, which reduces inflammation throughout the body. What is Lupus? While the exact cause of lupus is…

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed to treat arthritis pain and inflammation. When taken orally however, NSAIDs can lead to negative side effects including stomach upset, ulcers, and kidney and liver problems. Applying a medication on the skin directly to the area of pain limits the amount of the drug in the bloodstream compared to an oral medication. With customized topical NSAIDs made by a compounding pharmacy the systemic…

What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain throughout the body. The severity of the disorder can vary between individuals, but most experience pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The pain is a deep muscular pain that is sometimes described as “throbbing” or “pounding.”  Many people with this condition also suffer from fatigue, poor sleep patterns, or other symptoms that can vary between individuals. Women are…