Plaquenil

[Scooby7]

I started Plaquenil 2 weeks ago at 300mg.  1 per day/ 2 per day.
I am covered in an itching rash.  Is there hope beyond this drug, I was diagnosed this year. I am 40.

[DarleneB]

I had to stop.it also due to a very itchy rash

[Jasper]

If you cannot take Plaquenil, there are other drugs that can help you. When you see your Rheumatologist, ask her what other drugs are available to treat your Sjogren's.

You do not mention if you have stopped taking the Plaquenil. Plaquenil can cause a severe rash and allergic reaction. If you have a rash all over your body and have not been seen by a doctor concerning the rash, then I would urgently suggest that you go to an ER or urgent care now to obtain treatment for the rash. I am sure they will tell you to stop taking the Plaquenil and will treat the rash.

[Scooby7]

The rash erupted over the past few days, and I put a call into my rheumatologist, hopefully I will hear back tomorrow.  I am not going to continue with it. 
Thank you both for the replies.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I was advised to wean onto Plaquenil slowly, over the course of about a month, to let the body adjust to it.

Started with half a tablet every second day. Then a whole tablet every second day. Then a whole tablet one day and half of one the next - you get the idea. Stayed on 200mg daily for about 6 months and then went slowly up to 400.

Always take with food.

Some people cannot tolerate it but maybe a slow build up would be worth a try.

Take care - scottie 

[belovedchaos1]

Scottie that's really good to know! (May be what my doctors were thinking)

Scooby I'm sorry to hear about the adverse affect. I sure hope your rash goes away soon. Please let us know how you are feeling when all is resolved okay?

[irish]

I would be very suspicious of an allergic reaction the way you describe this. I would advise you to stop the med and to call your doctor as soon as possible. If you have any swelling around eyes, nose, lips, etc or have trouble breathing get to the emergency room asap.

Allergic reactions are nothing to mess with. When a rash or allergic reaction of any kind gets into the mucous membranes of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, etc it can mean trouble breathing. If you have swelling around the eyes this can quickly escalate and affect the lungs and breathing. No matter what, if you are short of breath of have any inkling of trouble breathing go to ER. Don't mean to scare you but need to watch this closely.  Good luck. and keep us posted. Irish

[Scooby7]

Thanks everyone.   I have been off Plaquenil for a week, am on Prednisone and the rash is just about gone.  Going back in a month to discuss other options. 

[belovedchaos1]

Glad things are getting better! Thanks for letting us know 

[susanep]

Over several years I wonder if it adds to much worse gastro problems?

susanep

[irish]

Susan, The plaquenil can add to the gastric issues with heartburn, etc. I took plaquenil for for 5-6 years and about a year ago I was having such bad reflux and heartburn that I finally quit the plaquenil and my stomach improved.

Well, I have had so many health issues and body pain that I can hardly walk and have been down a lot and hardly able to do anything. I finally decided to go back on my plaquenil today and started with 200 mgm. I am going to go slow and make sure to eat food when I take it. It also needs to be taken a couple of hours before or after other medications and don't take with other medications. It doesn't say this in the literature, but I have learned this myself over the years. Hope you gut feels better. Irish

[warmwaters]

Also, for some, the specific brand of plaquenil matters. I had one generic that gave me worse diarrhea, but switched to another and was ok.