BLB Solicitors - The Leading Chronic Pain & CRPS Solicitors
BLB Solicitors - The Leading Chronic Pain & CRPS Solicitors
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Andrew Atkinson
    • Bruce Dyer
    • Clare Lowes
    • David Gazzard
    • Mark Tawn
    • Richard Lowes
  • Pain Conditions
    • CRPS Solicitors
    • Fibromyalgia Solictors
    • Myofascial Pain Syndrome Compensation Claim
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder Compensation Claim
    • Neuropathic Pain Compensation Claim
    • Functional Neurological Disorder Compensation
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) Compensation Claim
    • Chronic Pain Syndrome Compensation Claim
  • Unhappy With Your Solicitor?
  • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Jan 25th, 2021
Hydroxychloroquine tablets

Hydroxychloroquine treatment for CRPS

Visit our respected and comprehensive CRPS and Chronic Pain information hub.

Twelve months ago, few of us had heard of the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine. COVID-19 put paid to that. In the early months of the pandemic, the drug was suggested as a possible means of prevention or treatment for the virus, an idea actively encouraged by the now-former occupant of the White House. But multiple studies have subsequently demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine offers no identifiable benefit as either a post-exposure prophylaxis or as a treatment for COVID-19.

CRPS

However, while its efficacy for COVID-19 has been dispelled, a study published recently by Stanford University suggests that hydroxychloroquine “may target the autoinflammatory component of CRPS.”

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition which develops following trauma and is typically characterised by intense, burning and persistent pain, increased skin sensitivity, changes in skin colour and temperature and abnormal nail and hair growth. The areas affected are most often the arms, hands, legs and feet, but it can affect many other areas of the body. While the trigger for CRPS is thought to be an injury to the sympathetic nervous system, there are many mechanisms at work in the condition, including autoimmune and autoinflammatory components.

Autoinflammation

When we suffer an injury or develop an infection, our immune system triggers inflammation to help isolate any foreign substances and attract white blood cells to dispose of dead or damaged cells and anything harmful to the body. Autoinflammation refers to a situation where the inflammatory response continues long after the original injury has healed, or even when no identifiable injury has occurred.

Hydroxychloroquine for CRPS

Because of its ability to suppress an overactive immune response, hydroxychloroquine is commonly used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This caused the researchers at Stanford University to wonder whether it might also prove effective for people with therapy-resistant CRPS.

Seven volunteers, each suffering CRPS and for whom past treatment had been ineffective, were started on hydroxychloroquine. Five of the seven reported reduced pain. Before treatment with hydroxychloroquine, the seven reported their pain as an average of 6.8 out of 10, but once treatment began, this decreased to an average of 3.8 out of 10.

While a reduction in pain was the major benefit reported, for some, there was also an improvement in their physical symptoms. One volunteer experienced decreased swelling and redness of her affected foot; these symptoms returning to their previous severity when she ceased taking hydroxychloroquine. When recommenced, the symptoms improved again.

Subsequently, the experiment was repeated in mice, with comparable results. Further investigation suggests that the mechanism at work involves inflammatory cells located in the spinal cord and brain called microglia. These cells cause an inflammatory response by releasing specific proteins. Earlier research had already demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine can reduce the activation of microglia and, therefore, has the potential to lessen inflammation.

Taken together with the clinical observations, the researchers believe these results support further feasibility studies into the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment option for patients with therapy-resistant CRPS.

Richard Lowes
Make an Enquiry

Contact Us

Contact Form

Left Column

Right Column

Centre

 
Sending

Recent Articles

  • Hydroxychloroquine treatment for CRPS
  • Chronic pain may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke
  • How to cope with lockdown when you have chronic pain
  • Can I claim PIP for Fibromyalgia?
  • People suffering CRPS and/or FM report more symptoms than those with other pain conditions

Share this Article

Newsletter Sign-up

* indicates required

You may also like...

  • Dec 2nd, 2020
    Chronic pain may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke
    Read Article
View All Related Articles

Get in Touch Today

Contact Form

Left Column

Right Column

Centre

 
Sending

1 Edgar Buildings,
George Street,
Bath, BA1 2DU

01225 462871 01225 445060
Authorised & Regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 636644).
©2021 BLB Solicitors  |  Privacy & Terms