Plaquenil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been using Plaquenil for 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 weaned myself off of it and will never use it again."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2018

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."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm 18 and was told I have arthritis about 10 months ago. Plaquenil worked after the first couple of weeks, but one major side effect is mouth ulcers, and at times I've been in so much pain with them I couldn't eat. But then the alternative one said it could make my hair fall out (and that is not an option at my age)."

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

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 autoimmune problem about 15 years ago (gluten intolerance 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. Plaquenil has been my lifesaver! Adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet for a month helped, also. The price-worth it."

• Sew...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a 30-year-old mother of 2. I have been taking Plaquenil for about 2 years now. Initially, it helped a great deal. I'm noticing my pain levels rising, and now I've developed tinnitus. I'm told that Plaquenil can cause permanent deafness. So I'm going to have to seek other options. Methotrexate is not an option due to the damage to my lungs pre-diagnosis. I'm honestly scared about the cancer risks of other medications, but now I don't have a choice."

• Jes...
• November 16, 2010

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."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2011

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 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 experienced bad headaches and hair loss."

• 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."

• Sci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2015

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."

• yan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2020

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I took this drug, Plaquenil, for a longer period and nearly lost an eye. I had to have eye surgery the day it was discovered I had multiple retinal tears. I had to be awake for 1+ hours and had a bubble in my eye for 8 weeks. I have had continuing issues with my other eye, having laser surgery for tears (also awake) numerous times. It will be a threat for the rest of my life."

• C W...
• December 9, 2017

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 a 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 face started swelling, and the rash and itching. I can only assume that this was the cause of my allergic reaction, even after all the years of use."

• Joa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 29, 2019

For Lupus "I have been taking it for five years. My ALE is on the mild to moderate side of things, thank goodness. I regularly get my vision screened, and so far, so good. My arthritis has gotten much worse and is affecting almost all of my small joints in my hands and feet. The only thing I have noticed has been a gradual darkening of my skin, which would be okay if it was an even darkening, but alas, only in blotches. Can't really say if Plaquenil helps me and am considering discontinuing it."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2016

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I did not have any adverse effects as such on starting this medication, except a mild skin rash. I have been on it for about 4 years. I have been relatively okay, but what produced a dramatic improvement was an anti-inflammatory, antitoxic diet with no artificial, packaged, or canned foods, no sodas, etc., accompanied by yoga and especially breathing exercises, pranayama, daily for 30-45 minutes, which produce miraculous results over time."

• 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."

• una...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I live in the UK and have all treatment under the National Health Service. I have RA, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, blepharitis, and interstitial lung disease! Blimey, I hear you say quite rightly. I say it every day. I take hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with methotrexate and etanercept, and they seem to work well together. However, since my methotrexate was reduced (due to continual chest infections), I have noticed a recurrence 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."

• Laf...
• February 9, 2015

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 too hard and on rainy days, but the pain isn't consistent anymore."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2020

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 are getting bad. I have an 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!!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2011

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."

• emi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2017

For Lupus "I was eventually diagnosed with SLE in 2012, three months after my first (& worst) flare. I took prednisone for a week and started taking 200 mg Plaquenil and 2400 mg ibuprofen daily, and 50-150 mg tramadol as needed for pain. In my experience, the prednisone helped to reduce the excruciating, debilitating joint pain by calming the inflammation, and Plaquenil and ibuprofen kept it at bay...for the most part. My rheumatologist took me off Plaquenil two years ago; I still take 400 mg of ibuprofen two times a week. I still get flares once or twice a year, but they are not as bad...six, as opposed to a ten, on the pain scale. Tinnitus started a few weeks after I started Plaquenil and I still have it. It's vastly annoying, but at least it doesn't hurt! Best of luck to all!"

• 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
• March 15, 2016

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I was on this medication for one day when I began to have severe vomiting 30 minutes after taking it and stomach bloating and uncontrollable gas. By day six, I called my doctor to tell him I had bilateral muscle weakness in my legs and could hardly walk a straight line without feeling like I was going to fall down. My doctor stopped the medication after six days when I presented with a known severe adverse side effect of this medication: muscle weakness and loss of coordination."

• spu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am still trying to figure out what this drug is supposed to do because I still get the soreness in the joints and the swelling, especially in the shoulders and hands. Some nights, it's hard to sleep unless I take something for the pain in both."

• RRL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This Plaquenil is one of the drugs my arthritis doc put me on. I was told by my eye care specialist that it was damaging my eyes and I needed to stop taking it. My eyes may never recover. I have been off Plaquenil for several years now, and my eyes still have not recovered. I didn't notice any positive results, probably since I took it such a short time, but it didn't take long for it to damage my eyes. DANGEROUS if you value your sight."

• Ray...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2020

For Lupus "I took Plaquenil for lupus for 4 years. It causes eye pain, chest pain, stomach pain, and gave my face a melasma appearance that is irreversible. It did NOT help with RA or lupus symptoms at all, but my doctor wants me to stay on it or see a different doctor."