Plaquenil aka Hydroxychloroquine

Plaquenil aka Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malaria drug which is commonly prescribed for lupus.For many newly diagnosed sle patients, this will be the first medication which is prescribed for them.When on this medication you will need to get an eye exam every 6 months as it can cause eye damage but it is very rare.I have been on this drug for over 20 years and have never had any problems or side effects from it.Plaquenil helps with joint and skin problems and helps to keep lupus at "bay."This was proven to me because the few times I had decided to stop taking it, I ended up in very severe flare ups.So for me, plaquenil is a drug I plan to now always take.I learned my lesson well!!!

Hi Barb ,
I too am on plaquenil, and have wondered if it is doing any good. It probably is , as I think I'm in a minor flare, and don't want to know what a major flare is!
I believe (but am not a dr.) that plaquenil will also settle in the cells of one's liver, therefore, the warning to avoid alcohol. (darn)
Luckily, the eyes are good as are the organs.... do you know if this is correct? Please correct me if wrong. =)
I will definately take your word, that it helps to keep lupus at "bay"
xoxo
kk

Hi Karen:

Don't forget plaquenil sometimes takes 6 months to "kick-in" . I really think it took that long for me. So, you may have to wait a bit to see if it's working.

Hi Karen,

In answer to your question about drinking alcohol while taking plaquenil....well all medications(I believe) can affect your liver, so it is probably best to avoid drinking.....I don't drink so it is one less worry for me!!!!!But like Poppy said, it can take months until plaquenil takes affect so be patient!!And from my past experiences, I do believe plaquenil really DOES help to keep lupus at "bay" so I highly recc. you stay on it my friend!!!!Take care.
Warmly, Barbara

I just started taking Plaquenil (the generic, I believe) on July 29th. That is just under 6 weeks ago. I have been fortunate to not have any of the bad side effects and any I did have lasted only a week or so. I am on a low dose of 200mg, as I was diagnosed with "early" autoimmune/inflammatory disease or Undifferentiated Connect Tissue Disease and do not have a dx of Lupus due to my lab tests.

I was wondering if it was working yet, but as of this morning...all of a sudden....I woke up feeling so much better! I will keep everyone up-to-date as to whether this is just temporary or if the meds have finally kicked in!

Beth

Hi Beth:

I know I felt just like you - about the meds working. It took about 6 months for plaquenil to finally start working for me.

I'm so happy you are feeling better - that is great .

Hi there, I too am on Plaquenil and have been for about a year and a half. It took about 6 months for me too see the effects and I did have some side effects at first but I have no side effects from it now. I think it helps a lot and will definitely continue to take it. It definitely helps with my skin issues. I have morphea on my neck, which hardens the skin, and it softened my skin. I also don't get the skin rashes or the malar rash on my face as bad anymore. I say keep taking it. Monica

Hi Everybody!!

I started taking the generic plaquenil in June, 400mg daily, and have been having nausea almost on a daily basis. Sometimes when I first get up and then again in the evening. I do eat when I take a pill. Just wondering if anybody else has had the nausea and how long it lasted.

I also have these horrible brownish raised spots on my thighs that just seemed to have broken out in the last month or so. It almost looks or feels like a wart but I don't think so. Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi all

hi Christine - On my plaquenil bottle, it tells me to take it with food to avoid nausea. If I do happen to take it without food, I will feel sick to the stomach. Also, about your brownish spots, that looks like warts but aren't.... that is exactly what got me to the doctor for my initial dx... Doc, asked 2 others to come look because she didn't know what it was... .1 of them asked me if anyone in the family had RA... My dad.... that prompted Doc to order up tests for Ra..factor... normal = 47, mine came back 747! This prompted a referral to my Rheumy.... all because of spots on my leg, which were only on one leg, only from the knee to ankle, only on the inside. weird.


I definately will stay on the plaquenil, (its been 1 year so far) and I don't drink much, but do enjoy an ice cold one occasionaly on a hot day . But those are fewer and farther between.

I will take the advice given to me to stay on the plaquenil, until further notice.... but it is still hard to tell if its "kicked" in.

Hello
I have been on plaq for 8 yrs 200 mg 2x a day, when i first started it the late evening pill would make me sick, so i asked my dr about it he said for me to try and take both pills at the same time of the morn. I tried that and for me it worked no sickness and been doing it ever since.
Take care RAY

Thanks for all the good advice. I see my rheumy on Friday and will ask him about the sickness and whether or not I can take both pills at once and I do take them with food. I also was given Ranitidine for nausea but still have it. I might just have to play the waiting game.

I do take plaquenil with food and am still having the nausea not every day but then I'll have it for a couple days in a row. I am taking 400mg a day and some days I just took 200mg only so I wouldn't feel sick. It is too soon to tell if the plaquenil is doing anything, I've only started it in June. So when I saw my rheumy on Friday, he gave a script for the brand name since I am currently taking the generic brand of plaquenil. We shall see!

Hi Christine,

As I have said before I have been on plaquenil for over 20 years and have never experienced any side effects from it.Ofcourse we are all different, but I had a thought that perhaps your nausea could be from the prednisone??And I may be wrong, but I thought Ranitidine was more for reflux or an antacid???Also I have never noticed any difference in the generic verses the name brand of plaquenil.I guess the bottom line is that we all react differently to medications....don't know if I was any help, but just wanted to share my experiences.I hope you soon feel better Chris and know I am thinking of you my dear friend!!!!

Warmly, Barbara