According to my Rheumatologist corticosteroids are used early in the course of the disease. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can be added later depending on the progression of PMR. However, Hydroxychloroquine like many drugs is also used for other autoimmune diseases. I developed RA shortly after my diagnosis with PMR, so whether my doctor would have held off with adding the medication if I had PMR alone, I don't know, but he did say he was adding it for the RA and did indicate it would benefit both PMR and RA.