Treatment of preeclampsia with hydroxychloroquine: a review

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the potential use of antimalarial drugs as an adjuvant therapy for preeclampsia, focusing on the mechanisms of action of this class of drugs in the context of preeclampsia. In particular, hydroxychloroquine has been shown to have various beneficial effects on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. There are several pathways targeted by the antimalarial drugs that are similar to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and hence offering opportunities to develop novel therapies to treat the disease. Given the safety profile of hydroxychloroquine in pregnancy, there is merit in exploring the efficacy of this drug as an adjuvant therapy in women with early onset preeclampsia.

Keywords:

• Preeclampsia
• antimalarial drugs
• mechanisms of action

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council.