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Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine

Other names: Plaquenil, Aralen, chloroquine

The FAA's guidance for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine depends on what it is taken for. Each use is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Taken for lupus or another use

FAA guidance

Depends on the underlying condition.

Source: FAA, Plaquenil Status Report (hydroxychloroquine / chloroquine). FAA date 25 September 2024. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA asks for a status summary from the ophthalmologist or optometrist who monitors hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, returned through the examiner for upload to the FAA.

Track your medications
Compare FAA documents: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquineWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

For lupus erythematosus, the FAA's collagen disease page asks for a current status report, including medications with side effects, and says it requires an FAA decision. Arthritis has its own entry.

Show the FAA's words: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquineThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Plaquenil Status Report (hydroxychloroquine / chloroquine) · FAA date 25 September 2024
Please have the ophthalmologist or optometrist who monitors your medication provide the requested information in the space provided. Return this status summary to your AME for electronic upload to the FAA.
FAA, Collagen Disease · FAA date 29 March 2023
Lupus Erythematosus
All
Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports
Requires FAA Decision
Sources and dates: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquineTwo FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Taken for arthritis

hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for arthritis

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Examiner

CACI: the examiner can issue when the condition's worksheet criteria are met. Applicants for first- or second-class must provide the worksheet's information annually; applicants for third-class with each required exam

FAA label

ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, CACI – Arthritis Worksheet. FAA date 29 April 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

For osteoarthritis, or for rheumatoid (limited to joint), psoriatic or ankylosing spondylitis arthritis, the FAA's CACI – Arthritis Worksheet lists hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine (Plaquenil/Aralen), with or without daily NSAIDs, among its acceptable medications.

Compare FAA documents: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for arthritisWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

A status summary is required if it is used, and the worksheet asks that it be favorable with no concerns.

The FAA's status summary form asks the ophthalmologist or optometrist who monitors the medication to fill it in, and says to return it to the examiner for electronic upload to the FAA, while the worksheet's CACI qualified statement says documents do not need to be submitted to the FAA. The documents do not say the same thing; both are quoted. The worksheet applies with all its other criteria, and the examiner must note in Block 60 one of its statements, which include CACI qualified arthritis, and not CACI qualified arthritis and deferred.

Show the FAA's words: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for arthritisThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, CACI – Arthritis Worksheet · FAA date 29 April 2026
Acceptable causes are limited to:
Osteoarthritis* and/or
Autoimmune to include only the following: rheumatoid (limited to joint), psoriatic, or ankylosing spondylitis
One or more of the following with or without daily NSAIDs:
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)/Chloroquine (Plaquenil/Aralen) see status report requirement below**
STATUS SUMMARY is required if Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)/ Chloroquine (CQ) (Plaquenil/Aralen) is used.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)/ Chloroquine (CQ) Status Summary (Plaquenil/Aralen) is favorable and no concerns
AME MUST NOTE in Block 60 one of the following:
CACI qualified arthritis. (Documents do not need to be submitted to the FAA.)
NOT CACI qualified arthritis. I have deferred. (Submit supporting documents.)
FAA, Plaquenil Status Report (hydroxychloroquine / chloroquine) · FAA date 25 September 2024
Please have the ophthalmologist or optometrist who monitors your medication provide the requested information in the space provided. Return this status summary to your AME for electronic upload to the FAA.
Sources and dates: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for arthritisTwo FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Taking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.

See also

  • Arthritis

    Check a condition: what the FAA's documents say the examiner looks at

  • Other medications

    Every medication in this group, with its answer and wait

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.