Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus User Reviews (Page 3)

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2023

"Have had systemic lupus for 4+ years, diagnosed (finally) 1 year ago and was put on hydroxychloroquine (400mg a day). Other people stated it took weeks to feel a difference but within a few days I felt like 90% better. Had an anaphylactic experience the first week but dreaded going back to fatigue and pain, so I just lowered the dosage and powered through it (not recommended for most). I get bad itching episodes on it (not normal itching... like neurotic itching) but I have to deal with it. There are no long-term medications that can replace this for me. Heart pain, joint pain, fatigue, etc. all gone. I feel like I went back 10 years. Side effects suck but better than the alternative."

• Spe...
• November 10, 2009

"I started this drug for discoid lupus. It made me insane. I would fly into rages at small things, later, I would melt on the floor in tears. Scared my daughters - 18 and 21. I quit taking this drug after 3 weeks."

• C-h...
• March 7, 2017

"I was diagnosed with SLE lupus in 2011, my lupus is mild and has remained mild. My only ailments are inflammation of my joints, mainly my right hand fingers and my left foot baby toe. I have been taking the hydroxychloroquine 200 mg tab twice a day. I have not found any change to my pain from taking this drug. I was given pain meds for the inflammation that helps after two weeks of taking them. I noticed my hair breaking off the past 3 years after taking the drug, prior to taking it, my hair was growing very well and doing good. I went to a dermatologist who said my scalp was healthy and gave me shampoo for the itchy scalp and desoximetasone ointment USP 0.05%. Could this low dose of hydroxychloroquine cause my hair loss?"

• GRo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2020

"My ears still ringing with using hydroxychloroquine over a year ago - they just haven't stopped, and nobody can seem to help me. I think that's really messed up. I've seen an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I've seen my primary care doctor, and nobody can help me, and the medication did nothing but make me feel worse."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2022

"I have been on hydroxychloroquine 200 mg times a day for a little over 3 months for my lupus. So far, the lesions on my face and scalp have gone, my hair is starting to grow back, and my body feels so much better."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2024

"I was started on 400 mg a day for lupus sle, and I responded really well. I had more energy and started swimming again, so I felt good and up for things. Before, I was always so tired. Three months in, I started to get a rash on my wrists and circles all over my body, similar to eczema or psoriasis. Some of them looked like ringworm, which was really odd. My consultant thinks I'm having an adverse reaction and told me to stop taking it. It has been about 7 weeks since I stopped, and the fatigue has returned. I'm feeling really disappointed. He mentioned that he might try putting me on half a dose to see if I tolerate it better."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2021

"I was put on hydroxychloroquine for my lupus and arthritis. I have pain mostly in my upper back, neck, and shoulders, and left arm, wrist, and hand. I was prescribed to take two 200 mg pills once a day. I took it only twice, and my reaction was beyond terrible. It started off with a rash on my stomach, which later spread to my entire body. Little did I know I would be in for the worst 2 1/2 months of my life. See, with this medication, the half-life is so long that one pill stays in your system for at least 40 days. So this rash was with me for weeks and weeks on end. I had to be put on prednisone for my severe reaction (which caused weight gain and severe permanent stretch marks). The rash made it impossible to shower, I couldn't sleep, my skin was peeling everywhere, and I was hospitalized for anaphylaxis. I cried for hours every day. I wanted to die. Never again! Please get tested for allergies before ever using this medication if you want to be seriously safe. I am scarred for life!"

• Pla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 10, 2021

"The generic hydroxychloroquine made me ill and hospitalized. The coating is different than the brand drug. Prasco Labs had an authorized generic of Plaquenil they sold until COVID that was reasonably priced, but they removed it, and now my only option is the brand Plaquenil, which costs me a fortune on a monthly basis. I wish these companies would not play games with our health. Since COVID, the price on Plaquenil has also increased. I wish they would help an average American who needs this medication at a reasonable price. Very disappointed."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2021

"I have been taking hydroxychloroquine for two years. It has helped significantly with my lupus symptoms (joint pain). Looking into changing my diet and healing my gut, so I can get off my medication, but I’ve had no known side effects, and the medicine has done nothing but help!!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2022

"I have both lupus and Sjögren's. Have been on hydroxychloroquine for 1 month, prescribed by a derm. Since starting, I have not been able to be in the sun at all. Not so much the skin, but my eyes. They automatically close because I can't handle the light. I've bought pricey sunglasses with FL-41 and use blue blockers in the house. I put a baby sunshade on my driver's window. It just keeps getting worse. I mentioned it to my ophthalmologist, but I don't think he realizes the extent. Taking myself off of it today as an experiment. Still 6 weeks until my appointment with the rheumatologist. I rated it a 3 just because I don't know yet if it is the cause."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2021

"I've been taking this drug for about three months for lupus. The only symptoms I had were nausea, but I took it on an empty stomach. I also experienced darkening on certain parts of my body, but the main symptoms I'm getting are psychological, it makes me kind of foggy-headed. But when I'm on it, my lupus malaise and pain are really under control and my liver function goes down to normal. The benefits are worth the brain fog."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine "I have been on Plaquenil (generic) 200 mg for the last month. I have not felt any different since I started. I hope to start feeling better soon and that the medication starts to do something for my (R) shoulder/arm pain. I live with pain since I have suffered an accident that caused my RSD (CPS) over 20 years ago. But this pain is a little bit different from it because of the way the pain reflects in my body."

• KUL...
• June 4, 2010

Hydroxychloroquine "This medicine gave my life back. No side effects. Can go up and down stairs again. I have been taking Plaquenil since 1994."

• pre...
• December 10, 2011

Hydroxychloroquine "I love this medicine. It has helped so much with the arthritic pain. No side effects for me. I have eye check-ups every six months. Give it a try!"

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2008

Hydroxychloroquine "I have had lupus for 6 years and have been taking Plaquenil since then, and I have had no side effects. This medication has really helped me to have a normal life again."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2008

Hydroxychloroquine "Been taking for one week. Too soon to tell if it will work but long enough to learn that taking it with fatty food such as peanut butter or cream cheese lessens the stomach discomfort - for me anyway."

• msl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine "This medication, Plaquenil, works for lupus, but for me, the side effects were that I nearly lost my vision. Very rare side effect."

• ljk...
• January 16, 2013

"I've taken this on and off for 7 years, and it helps with my joint pain and hair loss. It just takes time, so be patient. The fatigue is almost gone as well."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2008

Hydroxychloroquine "Taking this drug now in conjunction with methotrexate, and it is really helping to improve my symptoms."

• new...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2014

Hydroxychloroquine "I experienced a rash over my entire body about 2-3 weeks after starting to take this medicine. I don't really know if it would have worked for me or not."

• lou...
• June 11, 2010

"Have been on this medicine for ten years. Had a lot of the side effects, but compared to what I was like before, it is still worth taking."

• Fee...
• May 28, 2009

"Since starting this medication in conjunction with prednisone, I am able to work an 8-hour day again."

• Reb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 9, 2022

"I could barely walk before taking hydroxychloroquine. I take two 200 mg per day, and I am like a new person. I walk better now at age 67 than I did at 50."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2009

"I haven't had any increase in energy, but my sed rate is lower, and my renal function tests are better."

• mga...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 21, 2021

"Have taken this medicine for 15 years to avoid lupus flare-ups... no side effects, but do need to have eyes checked yearly."