How dose such a small maintenance dose of prednisone 5 mg daily w/ plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) prevent my lupus flares more than plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) alone? it works great.

Can help!: While plaquenyl is a slow acting but effective drug, Prednisone is used in much higher doses in active sle. There are a number of reasons you might feel so much better on a low (5mg) dose: 1.Plaquenyl has not fully kicked in. 2. Arthritis (non-deforming) or arthralgias associated with the disease will have substantial pain relief with a dose this low. 3. You will get a modest energy boost at 5mg!