I took Plaquenil for two months, and started experiencing tinnitus and nerve pain, so I stopped taking it. Unfortunately, I continue to have tinnitus and nerve pain and was told it may be permanent. Has anyone else dealt with these issues? If so, any suggestions to help? Thank you all in advance.
Has anyone experienced tinnitus and nerve damage from using Plaquenil?
Question posted by Pcaro on 28 Sep 2021
Last updated on 7 October 2021
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Answers
I've been taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil is a brand name) for 20 years and have not had any known issues (although other unrelated medications have caused tinnitus for me). Were you taking it for an autoimmune disorder such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Was it prescribed by a Rheumatologist? I am reading that ototoxicity is rare but has been known to occur. One published paper mentioned one report of improvement after stopping the drug, and that there are other reports of improvement with early therapy using steroids and vasodilators. Something to discuss with your Rheumatologist if it was prescribed by one for autoimmune disease. Or if you haven't consulted a Specialist, I think it would be worthwhile doing so. Here is a link to the article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6001088/ . Nerve pain also appears to be uncommon. In an article from a New Zealand Medical website they describe 2 reports of peripheral neuropathy with hydroxychloroquine between 2010 and 2015. In one report, the patient’s symptoms improved after the drug was discontinued. Here is a link to that article https://medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/Sep2015/Hydroxychloroquine.htm
Thank you so much! Will look into it!
Related topics
plaquenil, tinnitus, pain, neuralgia, nerve
Further information
- Plaquenil uses and safety info
- Plaquenil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Plaquenil (detailed)
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