This trial will address the safety of withdrawing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with systemic lupus erythematous who are 60 years of age or older. In this older population the need for continuing HCQ is expected to decrease, since disease activity tends to be lower with advancing age. The study will determine how safe it is to discontinue HCQ in this population.

Participants will be in this study for about 1 year, during which time they will come to 7 visits in the research clinic. The first visit will take up to 2 hours and will include blood and urine sampling and completion of self-assessment questionnaires. Subsequent visits will take up to 1 hour. Participants will be randomized to receive either the active drug hydroxychloroquine or placebo. The treatment will be blinded to both the participant and the investigator. Diaries will be requested in which the participant keeps track of dosing of the study medication.