Plaquinel?? | Arthritis Information

Hi everyone: I have my second appoinment with the Rheumatologist this week and would like to know if anyone is taking Plaquinel alone and getting any benefit, plus the odd Naproxen. I ask because I know she is going to recommend MethX as well as Plaquinel but I must say that I do feel somewhat better with the Plaquinel (about 4 months now). I do take the odd Naproxen every 5 days as well. I know MethX seems to be the drug of choice nowadays and I read all the postings about it on the site and have a better understanding of it all since my first appointment but I would like to be prepared!! As much as one can possibly be. Thanks for helping. Gill

I used to take Plaquinal on its own a few years back, but had to give it up after using it for about a year due to photosensativity, some hair loss and strong nausea. I found it slightly helpful for a while, but it is considered one of the weaker DMARDS out there and is often of more use when used with something else ( MTX, Enbrel or Sulfasalazine for example ).

If you feel its working for you and your not in any pain, then stick with it. Just dont forget to get your eyes checked every 9 months or so. Plaquinal, rarely, can cause damage sometimes.

Hi Gillian, I am very new to RA as I have only been dxs a couple of years, but I am taking Plaquenil along with Celebrex and Ultram for pain and inflammation. Ive only been on Plaquenil for about 3 1/2 wks and so far I have had no side effects except loss of appetite(which is not that bad since I need to lose weight n e way

Shawnie

I took Plaquenil in conjunction with Sulfersalazine years ago when I was first diagnosised but I agree with Dagda that it's probable considered one of the weaker DMARDS. If you're not ready to start MTX why not ask for another DMARD instead?

I personally am a big MTX fan; but can understand your resistance to taking it.

Lovie

Hello Gillian,

You are absolutely right. Being knowledgeable about your RA and medications that you will be taking, helps you over the rough times and keeps RA in perspective...So I applaude you for being prepared.

I have been on Plaquenil (400mg) for about 3 months. I can not say that it is helping me but I am willing to try it for awhile longer to see if it will work. Soon I will be on Meds for Latent TB, since my PPD was positive and I will be taken off the MTX and then slowly weened off the Azulfidine (2000mg). Which will only leave me with the Enbrell and the Plaquenil. So I am really praying that the Placquenil will work for me. We never really know what drugs will be the ones that work, seems to be a hit or miss situation, until we find the right combination.

In some of the articles that I have read, they do feel that doubling or tripling of drugs has a much better outcome than single drug use. So going on MTX, might just be in your best interest and so far, I haven't had any serious side effects on any of the drugs. (knock on wood...LOL.) that I am taking.

Hope this post has been of some help to you.

Waddles

Im sure ive said this a million times, but I will say it again hehehe. When on Plaquenil PLEASE check your eyes! I was on it for years and didnt check my eyes and now I have blurred vision, and ive been off it for a couple months now and it hasnt gone away. But I dont mean to scare you, it doesnt happen to everyone, but thats also why its very important to make and keep those eye exam dates! If you notice any blurryness, especially when you wake up, be sure to let your RD know about it. Good Luck and I hope it works well for you! I took Plaquenil alone for five years with an anti-inflammatory. I was no where near perfect as far as joint pain in my feet and wrist, but it really held off the joint damage. I went on antibioitics for my RA and it wasn't until I reduced the Plaquenil that I got some really bad joint damage. No side effects and have been on it now for 11 years.

I took plaquinel for about 6 months. That was the first "anti RA" drug I was given, and it was prescribed by my PCP. It did NOTHING. I then went to MTX, 10 mg a week, which didn't do anything...

After about another 6 months they put me on Enbrel, and MTX, took me off plaquinel. The enbrel didn't work, so they put me on Humira. The Humira only lasts about 6 days so they doubled my MTX to 20 mg, and that seems to be helping.