Illustration of a lupus patient with symbolic representations of DNA, cholesterol, and heart health.

Can Hydroxychloroquine Lower Cholesterol in Lupus Patients?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the potential benefits of hydroxychloroquine in managing cholesterol levels for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus."

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often just called lupus, is a tough autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage to various parts of the body. It's more common in women and can lead to serious health issues, including heart problems. Keeping risk factors like high cholesterol in check is super important for people with lupus.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a medication often prescribed to treat lupus, has shown promise in not only managing the disease itself but also improving heart health. Recent research suggests it can positively influence traditional cardiac risk factors.

This article breaks down a systematic review and meta-analysis examining how HCQ affects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels—often called "bad" cholesterol—in lupus patients. We'll explore what the study found and what it could mean for managing lupus and protecting your heart.

HCQ's Impact on LDL Cholesterol: The Research

Illustration of a lupus patient with symbolic representations of DNA, cholesterol, and heart health.

Researchers conducted a thorough review of seven major databases, analyzing nine studies that included 559 participants. These studies looked at the effects of HCQ on serum LDL levels in individuals with lupus. The pooled data revealed some interesting findings.

The meta-analysis showed that HCQ was associated with a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels. On average, HCQ reduced LDL levels by 24.397 mg/dL (95% CI 8.921–39.872; P = 0.002). This suggests that HCQ could play a role in improving lipid profiles in lupus patients.

Study Details: The analysis included eight observational studies.
Participant Characteristics: The average age of participants was 45.719 years, with 95.262% being female and 58.366% using prednisone.
Significant Reduction: HCQ reduced mean LDL levels by 24.397 mg/dL.

While the findings are promising, it's important to note that the studies had considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 94.739%). This means there was significant variability between the studies, which could affect the overall certainty of the results.

What This Means for Lupus Patients

The study indicates that HCQ could be a valuable tool in managing not only lupus symptoms but also cardiovascular risk factors. By reducing LDL cholesterol levels, HCQ may help protect against heart disease, a significant concern for those with lupus.

However, more research is needed. Future studies should focus on confirming these findings with prospective designs to fully understand the treatment effect, exploring the optimal dosage, and identifying which lupus patients would benefit the most from HCQ's lipid-lowering effects.

If you have lupus and are concerned about your cholesterol levels, talk to your doctor. They can assess your individual risk factors and determine whether HCQ or other interventions are appropriate for you. Managing cholesterol is a key part of staying healthy with lupus.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/1756-185x.13159, Alternate LINK

Title: Favorable Effects Of Hydroxychloroquine On Serum Low Density Lipid In Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

Subject: Rheumatology

Journal: International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Hamayon Babary, Xibei Liu, Yosef Ayatollahi, Xin P. Chen, Loomee Doo, Lakshmi K. Uppaluru, Myoung K. Kwak, Catherine Kulaga, Dodji Modjinou, Ewa Olech, Ji W. Yoo

Published: 2017-09-08

Everything You Need To Know

How might Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) affect cholesterol levels in lupus patients?

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) may help lower LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A meta-analysis of nine studies showed that HCQ was associated with a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, by an average of 24.397 mg/dL. This suggests that HCQ could play a role in improving lipid profiles in lupus patients.

What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and why is cholesterol management important for those with this condition?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage to various parts of the body. It is more prevalent in women and can lead to serious health complications, including heart problems. Therefore, managing risk factors like high cholesterol is particularly important for people with lupus to mitigate potential cardiovascular issues.

How was the effect of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on LDL cholesterol levels in lupus patients researched?

The research involved a thorough review of seven major databases, analyzing nine studies with a total of 559 participants. These studies specifically examined the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on serum LDL levels in individuals diagnosed with lupus. The pooled data from these studies indicated that HCQ was associated with a notable reduction in LDL cholesterol levels.

What are the potential implications of using Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to manage lupus in relation to heart health?

The study suggests that Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) could be a valuable tool in managing cardiovascular risk factors in lupus patients. By reducing LDL cholesterol levels, HCQ may help protect against heart disease, which is a significant concern for those with lupus. This is particularly important given that lupus itself increases the risk of cardiovascular issues, making the management of cholesterol levels a crucial aspect of overall care.

Are there any limitations or caveats to consider regarding the findings on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and cholesterol in lupus patients?

While the research indicates a potential benefit of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in reducing LDL cholesterol, the included studies had considerable heterogeneity. This variability between the studies could affect the certainty of the results. Additional research, particularly randomized controlled trials, would be beneficial to confirm these findings and to better understand the magnitude and consistency of HCQ's effect on cholesterol levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, as well as to explore other potential mechanisms through which HCQ may benefit cardiovascular health beyond its impact on LDL cholesterol.