Hydroxychloroquine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Diane...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2018

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been using Plaquenil 3 months. It has helped my RA pain subside a lot. While my Rheumatologist says I'm in the beginning stages of RA, she nonetheless put me on the Plaquenil. However, my hair is falling out rapidly so I have weened myself off of it and will never use it again."

• Barb-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for Lupus "I had only had a mild SLE flare about 30 years ago. I had plenty of the discoid lupus symptoms, but they were easily controlled with avoiding the sun and using sunscreens,especially in the last 20 years. I developed another auto-immune problem about 15 years ago.(gluten intolerance or or possible CD.) I ate the "gluten-free" Cheerios when they hit the shelves about 6 months ago, and almost killed myself, as they were not gluten free. This touched off a SLE flare of unbelievable proportions! Practically every joint in my body was hurting SO badly,and I had fever and fatigue and did not respond to NSAIDs. Placquenil has been my lifesaver! Adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet for a month helped, also. The price-worth it."

• 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."

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed 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."

• 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 n 200 mg, within a few months, the joint pain was almost completely gone and fatigue somewhat better. Doc bumped me up to 400 mg and now I'm still tired, but don't sleep 16 hours a day anymore at least. It's a life saver. (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!)"

• 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 a 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 experience bad headaches and hair loss."

• 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 mild skin rash, have been on it for about 4 years. Have been relatively okay but what produced a dramatic improvement was an antiinflammatory , antitoxic diet with no artificial,packaged or canned foods, no sodas etc. accompanied by yoga and especially breathing exercises pranayama dIly 30-45 minutes which produce miraculous results over time."

• 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! Took about 3/4 months to fully work and change my blood chem. back to normal as it was WAY out. 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) ;-)"

• 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 200mg x2 daily."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 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 My face started swelling and the rash and 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 Uk and having all treatment under the National Health Service. I have RA, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, blepharitis and interstitial lung disease ! Blimey I hear you say quite rightly. I say it every day. I take hydroxychloraquine in conjunction with methatrexate and etanercept and they seem to work well together. However since my methatrexate was reduced ( due to continual chest infections ) I have notice recurrance 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
• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

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

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

• 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, ect. that may work better for your autoimmune condition. Also, taking 100mg 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 Fluconanzole 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."

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

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I've been on hydroxycloroquine for 2.5yrs for undifferentiated connective tissue disease. I started in my mid 20s, and I have noticed a significant difference in my overall general 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."

• 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 first dose but no side effects since. Slept good for first time in weeks yesterday and actually felt rested afterwards for first time in months with pain all but completely gone. I am weaning off steroids slowly while it gets in my system. Optimistic!"

• 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 suppose to do cause I still get the soreness in the joints and the swelling especially in the shoulders and hands some nites its hard to sleep unless I take something for the pain in both"

• 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 to hard and on.rainy days but the pain isn't consistent anymore."

• 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 and getting bad have a 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!!!!"

• Kittyp
• April 24, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis in 1998. Plaquenil quickly helped the swelling and pain in my hands, wrists, and elbows. After 4 years, a new doctor questioned whether I really had RA, and she took me off Plaquenil. Less than two years later, my hands seemed to freeze up, and I actually wore splints because of the pain. A new rheumatologist quickly put me back on Plaquenil. I have my eyes checked by a retina specialist twice a year. My only pain now is osteoarthritis in my knees and back, and I exercise and take occasional anti-inflammatories for that. I am grateful to Plaquenil when I remember how bad my pain and the swelling were before Plaquenil."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had pain in my knees, feet, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Sitting down and then getting up again was quite painful, some days I could walk only very slowly. After 8 weeks of taking hydroxychloroquine and meloxicam, I felt much better, but my joints were still somewhat swollen. My rheumatologist was ready to put me on stronger medication. I asked to give it a while longer before taking that step, since I felt so much improved. After 4 months of tracking my progress, the doctor now says I won't need the stronger medicines. The hydroxychloroquine was just very slow acting for me. I am very glad my doctor was willing to work with me, and I recommend patience with this medicine. By the way, I've experienced no side effects to date."