Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate – advice please
Question:
I’ve just been prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and am a bit apprehensive about taking it – any advice would be greatly appreciated please. Jeannie C
Response:
I’ve just been prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and am a bit apprehensive about taking it – any advice would be greatly appreciated please. Jeannie C
I have been on Hydroxychloroquine for 5 years with no problems. Be sure you get your eyes checked every 6 months, if there are changes you can go off the drug before the damage is done. I noticed headaches when I first started but those tapered off. Hydroxychloroquine is considered one of the safest arthritis drugs. Focus on what uncontrolled arthritis will do, that should be your primary concern. — MZ
Response:
Hi Jeannie. I’ve been taking plaquenil for about 6 months and, as far as I can tell, have had no adverse side effects. It has helped with the tiredness but takes a while to work. You do have to keep eye dr. appts but that’s no big deal. Hand in there. Hope you feel better soon. Julie
Response:
I’ve just been prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and am a bit apprehensive about taking it – any advice would be greatly appreciated please. Jeannie C
I’ve been taking Plaquenil for about seven years. The only side-effect I’ve had are dizzy spells when I first started taking it. Those lasted about a week or so. This med takes a long time to build up in your system and start working as well, usually several months. I’d say it started working for me in about four months, and really started noticing improvements in eight. Plaquenil can also cause problems with vision, so your RD should refer you to an opthamologist for visits every six months. Problems are very rare, my opthalmic surgeon has only seen two cases in his 30+ years of practice, and these cases were reversable once the plaquenil was stopped. Good luck! Nicole G. — To reply, remove the obvious…. No matter what they tell ya ;o)
Response:
A real big thanks you for putting my mind at ease Julia, Mary and Nicole. At a hospital appointment yesterday I was told that my esr was up and that they wanted me to try Hydroxychloroquine (it’ll take me months to say that one). I became very depressed worrying about the side affects etc and decided to ask the Arthritis Newsgroup for their opinion/advice and I’m really glad I did. I feel so much better now – once again a big THANKS to you all. Jeannie C (Wales UK)
Response:
Jeannie – I’ve taken the drug since 1983 and have had no trouble with side effects. Like the others, I get my eyes tested twice a year, so far without problems. Dot
Response:
Just to say, thanks Dot. Jeannie C
Response:
Hi Jeannie, Plaquenil also the name of the drug they prescribed is fairly benign. It has helped many but the side effect of retina pigmentation does exist. YOU MUST go for full visual eye tests and screenings first before you start and then every 3- 6 mths in the beginning. This retina damage can occur without symptoms that is why YOU MUST go for the exams. Usually this can then be caught early and the drug is stopped and no further damage is usually what happens. Out of all the conventional therapy drugs this is probably one of the safest if you follow the rules! I would also like to point out to you that I am on antibiotic therapy which is proven safe and effective in early treatment of RA (long term RA studies have not been done yet ) by the NIH , NIAMS, Odell 2,3, 4 yr follow up on the same patients and Trenthams small scleroderma study which showed promise. Other auto immune disease are currently being studied too! Something you might want to look at. Odell did another study using plaquenil versus minocycline therapy . Minocycline therapy did better then those on plaquenil . Something to discuss with your dr. If you want copies of any studies email me Ill gladly supply. BTW another site to learn more about this antibiotic therapy that is free to browse and sells nothing is http://www.roadback.org Good luck I hope this info helps Regards, socjog – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve just been prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and am a bit apprehensive about taking it – any advice would be greatly appreciated please. Jeannie C
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