What strategies have you found most helpful to improve adherence to hydroxychloroquine among patients with lupus?
Patients often report that they wonder whether this medication 'does anything' for them and often express doubt about the impact it has. How do you translate the data into understandable and impactful terms for them?
Hoque et al., PMID 41657297
2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Rheumatology · University of Alabama Birmingham
Answered on
In my practice, three approaches have been most useful:
- Make adherence measurable. I routinely check whole-blood hydroxychloroquine levels and review the trend with patients in a nonjudgmental way. This creates accountability and turns an otherwise “invisible” treatment into something concrete that ...
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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Rheumatology · MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Answered on · Updated on
Great question. This is something I think about a lot. I don't have the perfect answer, but here's how I'm currently approaching it:
Reviewing the importance of HCQ at every visit, in patient-friendly terms. I make it clear why they are on the medicine and what it does for them. I say, "This is the ...
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