Plaquenil | Arthritis Information

 

Anyone else taking 600 mg of Plaquenil daily? I have been taking 200 mg 2 x a day. Rheumy just upped it to 200mg 3 x daily. I am a little concerned about taking this higher dosage. He said this may be necessary over the winter. My left wrist is swollen...doesn't look like a wrist anymore. Right wrist has some swelling in it now, too. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

I know 400 mg daily is the standard. Go higher and there's a higher risk level. [But heck, that's true of a lot of drugs.]

Thank you for the suggestion. I just saw the rheumy and he didn't suggest a shot. Is that medicine you mentioned a steroid? He did prescribe Pennsaid topical anti-inflammatory medicine. I have had steroid shots in my hip and shoulder a couple of times and that helped a lot for quite a while. The left wrist has been swollen for months and is just getting worse. Now the right wrist is swelling. If the new med, Pennsaid, doesn't work, I will call the rheumy and see what he says about the shot. I think the docs are concerned about steroids for me because I have osteopenia, too. Thanks for the info! [QUOTE=Vee]Anyone else taking 600 mg of Plaquenil daily? I have been taking 200 mg 2 x a day. Rheumy just upped it to 200mg 3 x daily. I am a little concerned about taking this higher dosage. He said this may be necessary over the winter. My left wrist is swollen...doesn't look like a wrist anymore. Right wrist has some swelling in it now, too. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks![/QUOTE]

600mg is not an uncommon dosage, especially if you're a larger person.  Have you had any adverse reactions so far?  Have you spoken with your doctor about these concerns? 
I haven't had any adverse affects at all w/Plaquenil. Just have to eat something when I take it, and I am fine. I am not a big person, but I am not a little person, either. Fairly average, I guess. My rheumy said "with winter coming on", you need to take 3 Plaquenil a day. He told me that Plaquenil is less toxic than Ibuprofen. That made me feel better. Thanks for everyone's info. I appreciate your input very much, as I am new to all of this. Peace, VMy experience is that rheumatologists rarely suggest steroid shots.  I'm a big believer in them because they provide almost-immediate relief, whereas it can take weeks/months for DMARDS to work. Sam12342010-10-31 18:24:23 [QUOTE=Sam1234]My experience is that rheumatologists rarely suggest steroid shots.  I'm a big believer in them because they provide almost-immediate relief, whereas it can take weeks/months for DMARDS to work. Pennsaid is a topical anti-inflammatory medicine that was approved in 2009 and was just distributed staring in early 2010. It has a new delivery system, which is the key, to getting the medicine where it needs to go. I have an acquaintance who is a medical doctor. Her husband uses Pennsaid for his knee arthritis, and she says it works well for him. Since I am unable to take anti-inflammatory drugs by mouth, it is the only option I have at this time execept for steroid shots. I have had steroid shots in my hip and shoulder and they do work wonders for pain. This wrist thing is something different, I think. The inflammatory arthritis is just rearing its ugly head. There isn't all that much wrong w/the wrist at this point, it is just swollen. There is some arthritis and nerve inflamamtion. I am willing to try a topical medicine. If it works, it will be wonderful. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. Thanks again for your input.[QUOTE=JasmineRain] [QUOTE=Sam1234]My experience is that rheumatologists rarely suggest steroid shots.  I'm a big believer in them because they provide almost-immediate relief, whereas it can take weeks/months for DMARDS to work. [/QUOTE]

So when exactly did you graduate from medical school?[/QUOTE] Jasmine, that was a sarcastic and uncalled for remark. All of the above was based on my personal experience, as I pointed out very clearly. If you don't want to read my posts, then don't. [QUOTE=Vee]Pennsaid is a topical anti-inflammatory medicine that was approved in 2009 and was just distributed staring in early 2010. It has a new delivery system, which is the key, to getting the medicine where it needs to go. I have an acquaintance who is a medical doctor. Her husband uses Pennsaid for his knee arthritis, and she says it works well for him. Since I am unable to take anti-inflammatory drugs by mouth, it is the only option I have at this time execept for steroid shots. I have had steroid shots in my hip and shoulder and they do work wonders for pain. This wrist thing is something different, I think. The inflammatory arthritis is just rearing its ugly head. There isn't all that much wrong w/the wrist at this point, it is just swollen. There is some arthritis and nerve inflamamtion. I am willing to try a topical medicine. If it works, it will be wonderful. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. Thanks again for your input.[/QUOTE]

I've used Voltaren gel, which is the same active ingredient as Pennsaid (diclofenac, an NSAID).  It works very well for me for isolated pain (elbow, wrist, fingers).  It still has many of the same risks as oral NSAIDs though - liver issues, edema, increased risk of heart attack, etc since it is absorbed through the skin.  Definitely worth talking to your doc about!
Hiya Vee. I just want to mention a valuable message I got when I first joined this site and was frantic for info on my meds. 'Fear the disease more than the meds'. This is definitely true for those of us with RA, and I am sure will be the same for you.
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