Hydroxychloroquine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• sandy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2020

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Plaquenil for the last 6 months. It has worked so well to reduce my inflammation. Along with methotrexate, I have next to no RA symptoms. Do take this with water or food, as it can upset your stomach. Also, try to eat healthy, as I have noticed increased appetite on this medication."

• Sjogr...
• May 27, 2015

For Sjogren's Syndrome "Before starting this medication, I felt deathbed tired. In my forties, I was ready to go home to heaven, that's how awful I felt. After starting on 200 mg, within a few months, the joint pain was almost completely gone, and fatigue was somewhat better. Doc bumped me up to 400 mg, and now I'm still tired, but I don't sleep 16 hours a day anymore at least. It's a lifesaver. (My other doctors are freaked out by the medicine and think it's the cause of my problems, but they should have seen me before I was on it. I thank God for this medication!)"

• Joanna
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 29, 2019

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Lupus "I have been taking it for five years. My ALE is on the mild to moderate side of things, thank goodness. I regularly get my vision screened, and so far, so good. My arthritis has gotten much worse and is affecting almost all of my small joints in my hands and feet. The only thing I have noticed has been a gradual darkening of my skin, which would be okay if it was an even darkening, but alas, only in blotches. Can't really say if Plaquenil helps me and am considering discontinuing it."

• Lou
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with hydroxychloroquine for RA in 1996. During the next approximate 12 years, my doctors prescribed hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate (can't recall the timing on each). Then, after those 12 years of meds, I no longer had any RA pain. My doctor agreed to discontinue the meds. It has been 12 years since then, and I remain pain-free."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2011

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Lupus "I was diagnosed with Discoid lupus in 2009 and I began using Plaquenil once I stopped breastfeeding. Initially, the only difference I noticed was my hair stopped falling out. After taking Plaquenil for less than a year, my face and neck started turning black. My dermatologist is convinced that Plaquenil is the culprit and just recently confirmed it. Between my rheumatologist and dermatologist, they're trying to find the right medicine that will work. I've been using bleaching creams for about 9 months, and they haven't worked well. I tried to come off Plaquenil but I experienced bad headaches and hair loss."

• Autumn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2018

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "When first diagnosed 3 yrs ago, my rheumy wanted to try Plaquenil first. He did tell me that some people develop allergies to the drug. Sure enough, three months in, I developed hives all over my body. Had to stop the drug. Now I have Kenalog injections every 5-6 months, which have worked well for me. No side effects, and I am returned to my pre-RA self. Plaquenil is a great treatment for many; just not for me. Every person's physiology is different. My GP has also been researching some older drugs that he thinks were back-burnered due to new biologics. I'm researching as well."

• Science...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2015

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for two months to treat newly diagnosed RA. The duration and intensity of the flares have been reduced, but I am still suffering with aches and swelling in my small joints and elbows. I have had mild nausea and am having my eyes monitored by my optometrist."

• One...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2013

For Lupus "Male, 66, who has been on this drug for 10 years. Without it, my life as I know it would be gone! It took about 3 to 4 months to fully work and change my blood chemistry back to normal as it was way out. The dsDNA rate last check was down to 70. Now I travel the world in remote areas, walk more than 5 miles in the jungle heat, and feel like my old self (well, as much as I can being another decade older) ;-)"

• Charl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2016

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I did not have any adverse effects as such on starting this medication, except a mild skin rash. I have been on it for about 4 years. I have been relatively okay, but what produced a dramatic improvement was an anti-inflammatory, antitoxic diet with no artificial, packaged, or canned foods, no sodas, etc., accompanied by yoga and especially breathing exercises, pranayama, daily for 30-45 minutes, which produce miraculous results over time."

• Jesse
• November 16, 2010

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Lupus "The only reason I gave Plaquenil a 9 instead of a 10 is because I still need Imuran as well. Plaquenil is a great medicine, but it's important to have your eyes examined every 6-12 months to check for a RARE side effect of eye damage."

• Kat
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on hydroxychloroquine for over a year. It has eased the pain in my hands for a while, but the longer I am on this medication, it is not working as well as it did. I am still having stiffness and pain in some joints. This is at 200 mg x 2 daily."

• Finn
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I was just recently diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome. It has been a challenge to understand all of this. Does anyone else have numbness and tingling in feet and hands? My doctor says it is probably from chemo I had 9 years ago. Not sure I believe that. I was started on 200 mg a day. Also, had anyone experienced the possible heart complications from the drug?"

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2008

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on this medicine since I was 12. I'm now 21. I have yet to experience any major side effects. Just recently I've noticed that it upsets my stomach if I don't eat with it, but I guess it's because my doctor just upped the dose because I gained weight."

• music...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2013

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I just started this medicine a few weeks ago. My rheumatologist told me that it could take up to 12 weeks to work. I have had stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and worsening of symptoms in my joints. I am not going to give up on this. I don't really want to rate it because I have not been on it long enough. I wanted to comment so that others could possibly get some encouragement to hang in there if possible."

• C Wife
• December 9, 2017

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for about 15 years without apparent side effects until this year. But this year, I have developed severe swelling of the face and a red rash on the upper half of my face. This also includes very difficult itching in odd places on my body, my eyebrows and eyelashes, my earlobes, my lower legs and lower arms, my scalp, and of course where the red rash was. This was twice cleared up with heavy doses of antibiotics and cortisone. However, my rheumatologist took me off all arthritis drugs, and we added them back little by little. When Plaquenil was finally included with the other drugs again, it took about three days, and my face started swelling, and the rash and itching. I can only assume that this was the cause of my allergic reaction, even after all the years of use."

• unama...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2015

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I live in the UK and have all treatment under the National Health Service. I have RA, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, blepharitis, and interstitial lung disease! Blimey, I hear you say quite rightly. I say it every day. I take hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with methotrexate and etanercept, and they seem to work well together. However, since my methotrexate was reduced (due to continual chest infections), I have noticed a recurrence of swelling and pain has increased. I am now on 80 mg of morphine (MST slow release) x 2 per day and oramorph (instant effect morphine) for breakout pain. Docs told me that they know the three meds work in conjunction with each other, but they don't know why! Who cares - give me the drugs. Hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2011

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA in October 2010 and have been on Plaquenil (200mg 2x/day) and Celebrex (200mg/day) for 3 months now. I've noticed a slight improvement in my hands and fingers as far as morning/evening swelling goes, but the stiffness and pain still persist. I go back to see the RA doc next week and am hoping he can either increase the dose or add something else to the mix because I'm still not feeling all that great."

• Grandma
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2020

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have taken this medicine for 2 years. It helped my hands so much, more like 100 percent, but I can tell that my eyes are getting bad. I have an eye doctor appointment next month. What I didn’t know was it could cause your hair to fall out - it’s been falling out bad. I just found out yesterday that this is one of the side effects, so I am stopping this medicine. Hopefully, I can take something up. For all of you out there that have no side effects, you are so blessed!!!!"

• Saz
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2020

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I've been on hydroxychloroquine for 2.5 years for undifferentiated connective tissue disease. I started in my mid-20s, and I have noticed a significant difference in my overall well-being. I still get flares, and I still suffer pain, but it doesn't leave me in bed for weeks. I'm not having month-long flare-ups, they last a day, maybe, which is usually triggered by excessive stress or a long, hard, strenuous day on my body. I am thankful that this medication was prescribed to me and that I pushed through the hardest part of the first few months and gave it a good chance. At first, my body was a little all over the place, but now I have no real side effects that I know of, and I'm much better for taking it."

• kat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2018

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I tried this med for mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis, and after a few days of stomach aches, I started getting severe stomach pain that had me doubled over. I realized it had begun when I started taking the Plaquenil. I called my doctor, and we agreed I should not be taking it. Less than 24 hours later, my pain was gone. Not for me! Never again... it was a terrible experience!"

• MKano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 11, 2019

For Lupus "Plaquenil is a unique drug that helps control/suppress certain autoimmune symptoms. Plaquenil will not work for everyone with autoimmune issues. But there are other drugs like Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole, Malarone, etc. that may work better for your autoimmune condition. Also, taking 100 mg of Doxycycline an hour before the Plaquenil allows the Plaquenil to work more effectively by breaking down the biofilm of the cells, allowing the Plaquenil to penetrate the cell faster and more effectively. If you have fungal-related issues like pleurisy, edema legs, circulatory issues, thickening of your blood, certain heart issues, or clotting of arteries, etc., a drug like Fluconazole twice a day with aspirin for at least 6 weeks up to 6 months may actually help relieve those types of symptoms. Everyone is different; the key is having a physician that will help figure out what works best for you."

• Juli
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2020

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I started on Plaquenil 400 a day, about 10 days ago. Mild nausea after the first dose, but no side effects since. Slept well for the first time in weeks yesterday and actually felt rested afterward for the first time in months, with pain all but completely gone. I am weaning off steroids slowly while it gets in my system. Optimistic!"

• Laffy...
• February 9, 2015

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I started taking this medication three months ago, November. The doctor told me it would take up to three months to work. After the first month, the fatigue lessened. I didn't want to sleep all day long, I actually wanted to move. Soon after, the occurrence of joint pain also lowered. It still hurts when I push myself too hard and on rainy days, but the pain isn't consistent anymore."

• emily...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2017

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Lupus "I was eventually diagnosed with SLE in 2012, three months after my first (& worst) flare. I took prednisone for a week and started taking 200 mg Plaquenil and 2400 mg ibuprofen daily, and 50-150 mg tramadol as needed for pain. In my experience, the prednisone helped to reduce the excruciating, debilitating joint pain by calming the inflammation, and Plaquenil and ibuprofen kept it at bay...for the most part. My rheumatologist took me off Plaquenil two years ago; I still take 400 mg of ibuprofen two times a week. I still get flares once or twice a year, but they are not as bad...six, as opposed to a ten, on the pain scale. Tinnitus started a few weeks after I started Plaquenil and I still have it. It's vastly annoying, but at least it doesn't hurt! Best of luck to all!"

• spunk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2017

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am still trying to figure out what this drug is supposed to do because I still get the soreness in the joints and the swelling, especially in the shoulders and hands. Some nights, it's hard to sleep unless I take something for the pain in both."