I have been taking 200 mg for 6 weeks. Starting last week, I began to have waves of panic. Starting in the middle of the night. I saw my primary care and asked if Plaquenil could be to blame. I do have anxiety disorder but have not had a panic attack in two years and certainly not waves of panic. I have since lost my appetite and can only eat a little. She said right away that she does not think it is the Plaquenil and then suggested I see a psychiatrist. This didn't make me happy because I really feel that looking for more medication from someone else for sudden symptoms is not a wise choice. She gave me Xanax to stop the panic. It helped me sleep but makes me way too tired during the day -- so it is like I am anxious, panicky, and exhausted now. I called my Rheumatologist who I have only seen twice to ask if the Plaquenil might be behind my sudden anxiety. I waited two days for a call back ( a long time when you are panicky). Finally, I called the office and got someone to call me back. A nurse said that my rheumatologist has never heard of Plaquenil causing anxiety attacks. I commented that it is listed as a side effect and that they came out of the blue. She said he also said I should see my primary care. I want to believe in my doctor but I don't feel like either one of them bothered to really look into my concern. I think I will just stop the Plaquenil and see if I get any relief and I will let him know what I have decided. I am wondering how long it might take for the drug to leave my system so I can see if this is the problem. By the way, I have fatigue and joint pain but no certain diagnosis.
How long does it take for Plaquenil to leave your system?
Question posted by disneygirlj on 7 March 2012
Last updated on 15 March 2022
22 Answers Page 2
Same here... signs of depression, restlessness, crying at the drop of a hat, sleeplessness. My aches and inflammation seem to get worse instead of better by week 5. I'm talking serious pain. Not just aches. Not even wanting to get up and move in the morning. I couldn't bend over. Climb stairs. Burning sensations . I was getting muscle spasms and had no appetite at all. I think I'm going to stop taking this as well call back the Ruematologist and search other options.
Please consider the possibility of borreliosis (lyme disease) or the common co-infection babesia (malaria like organism), as taking plaquenil can trigger a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (die off). This can definitely cause anxiety/panic, especially in waves, as the endotoxins circulate through your system, causing an inflammatory response.
Hi, I am reading your post and it makes a LOT of sense! Can you tell me what sites are informative for this condition? Thanks!
I have started withdrawing from plaqunil after 2 years and the panic attacks are very real. Rage and other mental issues are there as well.
I had extreme muscle weakness within four months of starting it. Would have to stop three or four x just to get up the stairs. Getting off a chair was extremely difficult and forget getting up in the bathroom.
Muscle weakness was confirmed by extensive testing which ruled out all other causes.
Having stopped it, it's taken a year and a half of pt to get my strength in a more acceptable range. My hair fell out wicked bad on it. That is now re growing.
I wasn't hungry at all on it but didn't mind that as it helped me to shed excess lbs.
i have been on a whole list of meds for my ra, having to come off them due to several back to back surgeries, no starting back insurancce coverages have changed and doc started me on plaqunil- I am so sick on my stomach, ccannt eat, no energy, and heading on a cruise in less than a week, all the issues im reading your al experiencing here too, this is so sad we dont have allot of options thats affordable even w insurance, if so many of us are having issues then why is this med still being presccribed? Vioxx worked for me and it was pulled off the market. I had recently in 2 months lost 20 pounds that i couldnt aford to loose, so i cerrtainny cant affford to loose more on this med.
Yes, it was the plaqunil because after I got off of it, I was better. So he switched me to methotrexate oral -- but then had stomach issue so now on injectable which is fine except it makes me nauseous right after injection -- I just eat something and it goes away. For last poster, if you have a cruise coming up -- I'd go off the plaqunil if you just started it. It's not worth ruining your vacation! You can try again after the cruise, I didn't have any issues other than the panic attacks (well that was a big issue!) -- there are many other things they can do for your RA and I think not many docs actually give plaquinil anymore. I am using methotrexate, humira -- both injectable and I still have pain and need tramadol which helps the most in my opinion daily -- a regular dose of 3 a day. I also use Celebrex.
In response to the original question, 60 to 90 days, as long as it take to become effective. As far as panic attacks and side effects are concerned, I have been on it for nine months and the first two weeks are less than comfortable: nausea, change in taste, ringing in your ears, hot and cold flashes are completely typical. I also have had chronic panic attacks long before I began the drug, however, many symptoms can resemble those felt during a panic attack. This can bring them on. The numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes, as well as my cheeks and scalp, that I had experienced shortly after the commencement of this treatment, made me anxious and concerned, causing anxiety, as well. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Hi looloo.. I hope your able to respond to my question seeing that this discussion took place quit some time ago. Did you feel tingling and numbness when you stopped plaquenil? I am getting off the drug after being on it for four years and I am not experiencing nerve pain in my feet and legs. I don't even know why the doctor put me on this medicine bc they could never figure out why I have joint pain! Wish I never took it. Please let me know your experience
I have recently started Plaquenil, for severe RA! I have pain in my left and numness in left hand and hand feels like it is on fire! Also left arm itches so bad that it is unbearable. Wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if so will it eventually go away once medication has been in my system a few weeks?
SAME THING HERE felt like I was dying and could not even look at food 3rd day off of this medicine still feel bad weak and can't eat panic unreal
Hi, I was just searching for an answer to the same question you were asking here. I have been taking Plaquenil for about 10 weeks and have started having waves of anxiety (out of the blue) for about 3 days now. I was going to stop taking it for awhile to see if the symptoms subside. I am curious to find out what happened in your situation. Did your symptoms get better when you quit? Thanks!
I agree with you on this.. if this medication isn't medically necessary I myself would either temporarily suspend it. Or.. make another appointment with the problem of not listening to you being addressed first! Panicking is bad. Real bad when medicine induced I know. Just call back. Tell them you are starting to be afraid or scared of what's coming next.. it will generate enough worry for them to pay attention to you. I have never taken Plaquenil but I'm making a mental note on this one! If you just started it.. say a few weeks, usually with water and eat good it should pass through in a week or two. Depends on your metabolism, and if you are heavy. Some people lose medication quicker than they can take it due to high metabolism.
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Further information
- Plaquenil uses and safety info
- Plaquenil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Plaquenil (detailed)
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