Hi Shirma,
I think the others are correct. Plaquenal is probably the drug your speaking of. I was on it for a couple of years when I first was diagnosed with RA at the age of 20. I was also taking 15 aspirins a day so I am not sure which of these drugs actually helped the most. I do not remember having any side effects at the time. The reason I say I am not sure which one helped more is that when I became pregnant at 23 I immediately stopped taking both and felt great during my pregnancy. I never went back on either. I have to say though, I always suspected it was the aspirins that did me the most good.
Here is some info. you might find helpful.
Good luck to you
peace
Kathy
Plaquenal, also referred to as:
Hydroxychloroquine or Malaria Medication
Hydroxychloroquine
(Information from the Wellington Regional Rheumatology Unit, Hutt Hospital, Lower Hutt, New Zealand)
TREATMENT WITH HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
This form contains some information which will help you to understand the reasons for starting hydroxychloroquine treatment for your arthritis, the way in which the drug works and how we will monitor the treatment so that it is safe. It will probably not answer all of your questions, but should be a helpful starting point.
WHAT IS HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE ?
Hydroxychloroquine is a one of a number of drugs which have been used for many years in the treatment of malaria. Fortuitously, it was discovered that these drugs often are helpful in the treatment of various rheumatic diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or "Lupus") and rheumatoid arthritis. Although chloroquine is sometimes used, the preferred antimalarial drug is hydroxychloroquine due to its greater safety. These drugs are not painkillers.
WHAT DOES HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE DO?
It is not possible at the present time to explain precisely why hydroxychloroquine is effective in various rheumatic diseases. When effective, it can decrease damage to the tissues of the joints, skin and other organs in the body.
HOW IS HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE GIVEN ?
Hydroxychloroquine is a tablet that is best taken with food as it has a slightly bitter taste. Generally it is taken once a day, but occasionally it will be prescribed to be taken on alternate days. Treatment generally starts with two tablets per day and subsequently may be reduced to one a day (or every other day).
WILL MY ARTHRITIS GET BETTER ?
The majority of patients will find hydroxychloroquine to be effective, but like other anti-rheumatic drugs, it may take between 8 to 12 weeks for the disease to respond. Often you will be given other medications when you start hydroxychloroquine so that you will improve more quickly.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS ?
Hydroxychloroquine is one of the better tolerated anti-rheumatic drugs. However, as with all medications, there is a potential for side effects to occur. Mostly, these are not serious and often we may not need to stop the treatment if side effects occur. However, if any serious problems occur, we will stop the treatment. If you develop any of the problems that I will mention, you should inform your GP and rheumatology clinic.
The most common side effects are mild nausea and occasional stomach cramps with diarrhoea of a mild degree occurring sometimes. As mentioned previously, the tablets are slightly bitter and are best taken with meals to avoid stomach upsets.
Skin rashes occasionally develop and hydroxychloroquine may make you more sensitive to the sun, so it is advisable to use the usual precautions of sunscreens and a hat if you are in the sun. Also, your hair may become a little bleached with the drug and rarely a degree of thinning of the hair can develop.
Some patients develop headache or dizziness and may become a little weak whilst on hydroxychloroquine and if this occurs, the treatment should be stopped.
Anti-malarial drugs can sometimes cause problems with the eyes. The side-effects range from temporary blurring of the vision and a slightly increased appreciation of glare (so wear sunglasses in the sun) which are not uncommon to more serious but rare changes in the back of the eye. Eye problems were much more common in the past when chloroquine was the most commonly used anti-malarial drug and dosages of these drugs were considerably higher. If you are in the high risk group for eye side effects (age over 65, poor kidney function, high doses of hydroxychloroquine) you will be monitored by an Ophthalmologist regularly whilst on hydroxychloroquine. At all times, you will be treated with the lowest effective dose of the drug and if there is any suggestion of a potentially serious eye problem developing the treatment will be stopped.
DO ANY OTHER MEDICATIONS INTERFERE WITH HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE?
Generally there are no drugs that make a side effect more likely with hydroxychloroquine. Indigestion remedies should not be taken at the same time as hydroxychloroquine. Try to allow 4 hours to pass between taking one and the other.
"The most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the waters and polished to brilliance by life's strongest storms."
)