Plaquenil and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Ric...
• April 13, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Love this drug, compared to the others. I am 55 now, and first took it 30 years ago. My RA then came on lightning fast, nodules and all. I went from totally normal to almost wheelchair in weeks. The weight of a bed sheet on my toes was too much. Two Plaquenil a day and 2400 mg of ibuprofen a day (that's 12 regular doses!) and I went into total remission. Of course, my stomach is crap now. After 25 years of remission, the RA returned. Different now that I'm older (55), more subtle. Chose Plaquenil again, and working wonders, but for my permanent damage. Get your eyes checked, a must. Some hair will fall out, but hey, I'm glad I still have some to fall out. WEIRD dreams. Irritability. Will lose weight! TAKE WITH FOOD to avoid cramps."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed a month ago with rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor started me on Plaquenil 2 weeks ago. 300 mg 2x a day. I had to stop taking it after a week because it upset my stomach, causing vomiting, nausea, and extreme diarrhea. My doctor tried lowering my dose to 150 mg 1x a day to no avail. I'm hoping that she can put me on something that will work better as I have been in extreme pain for over a year. I am 30 years old."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for 11 months. It took 6 months to the day for it to start working and then, heaven set in. The pain diminished significantly. I have a flare up now, for the first time and wondering what to do. I've taken Aleve, but no luck. I only seem to have a flare up during that particular time of the month, maybe something to do with water retention or hormones. Only side effect so far is upset stomach, take with food and in the middle of the day and much better."

• ith...
• September 9, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 63-year-old female who was diagnosed with RA after instigating a blood test for it out of desperation 3 weeks ago. My debilitating chronic pain in feet and random knee flare-ups has a name. My rheumatologist put me on prednisolone (reduced doses over 3 months) until the methotrexate starts working (once a week of 15mg for 2 weeks, 20mg once a week indefinitely). Plaquenil 300mg daily. I also take Vitamin D daily, 5mg folic acid once a week, plus curcumin and fish oil. I have been taking it all with breakfast for the last 8 days. I have had stomach cramps but no diarrhea. The prednisolone has been magic for pain-free sleep and movement. I will see in 2 months' time with only the latter 2. Trying to stay positive with yoga and strength exercises. Drugs, vitamins, anti-inflammatory supplements, eye tests, and blood tests, and maybe a nice wig are now part of my new reality."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Plaquenil for about 4 years, 200 mg twice a day. I have been having severe stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. I just now realized it's the Plaquenil because I didn't take it for 3 days due to the nausea and vomiting. I took it again today and got so sick that I had to throw up. Now, I realized it's the Plaquenil. I have been to a gastroenterologist and have done all kinds of tests. I will not be taking this medication again. My rheumatoid arthritis is nothing as bad as the nausea and vomiting. Maybe this will help someone. I don't know what I will take for this RA pain. I feel so sorry for anyone who has this RA. I was not diagnosed with this until I was 65 years old."

• Ros...
• July 23, 2014

For Lupus "This medication worked great for me except for some stomach upset, which I was tolerating because I wanted to stay off Prednisone. However, three weeks into taking the medication, I developed an allergy to it and broke out in hives all over my body. So, I had to discontinue, sadly. Very sorry not to be able to take this medication as it seems the best one for controlling my Lupus with the least side effects."

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

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."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2008

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."

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

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!"

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2008

For Lupus "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."