Hello,
I'm recently diagnosed with RA. Symptoms started about five months ago,
mostly finger and feet joint pain. Anyway, I've been on 480mg naproxin 2
times daily for about 2 months and generic Plaquenil (200mg twice daily) for
a little over two weeks. I had no symptoms from the Plaquenil for two weeks
until Wednesday when I woke up with difficulty urinating. Later in the day I
started feeling really lousy, developed severe chills, achy all over. In other
words it felt like I'd come down with a virus of some sort. The next day I
was convinced of that as I felt much better. Since then, however, the
difficulty urinating has continued as have fatigue and a lesser degree chills.
Could this be either from RA or Plaquenil? I don't know how long to go
before going back to doctor. Thanks for any help you can give me.
From : http://www.drugs.com regarding Naproxen
I have had no side effects form Plaq. and have been on it for 4 years. However, I couldn't handle the Naproxyn and refused to continue it.I had severe migrane headaches after taking plaq for (maybe a year , maybe two), I had never had headaches before.Sarah I've been on 400 mg Plaquenil for (4) months. The only side effects I've experienced it mild dizzyness (only for about a week when I first started taking it) and some mild stomach upset even when I take it with food. I can say that about two weeks after I started Plaquenil, my body did go into a bad flare that lasted about (4) weeks. I am on Plaquenil and naproxen. I didn't have any noticeable side effects with the Plaquenil (except slightly fuzzy vision that went away - this is a listed possible effect that is unrelated to the permanent damage some experience). I had worse effects from the Naproxen - dizziness, strange sensations in the backs of my hands, bruising.Renal Effects
As with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, long-term administration of naproxen to animals has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other abnormal renal pathology. In humans, there have been reports of acute interstitial nephritis with hematuria, proteinuria, and occasionally nephrotic syndrome associated with naproxen containing products and other NSAIDS since they have been marketed.
A second form of renal toxicity has been seen in patients taking naproxen as well as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In patients with prerenal conditions leading to the reduction in renal blood flow or blood volume, where the renal prostaglandins have a supportive role in the maintenance of renal perfusion, administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may cause a dose-dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation and may precipitate overt renal decompensation. Patients at greatest risk of this reaction are those with impaired renal function, heart failure, liver dysfunction, those taking diuretics, and the elderly. Discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy is typically followed by recovery to the pretreatment state.
Naproxen and its metabolites are eliminated primarily by the kidneys, therefore, the drug should be used with caution in patients with significantly impaired renal function and the monitoring of serum creatinine and/or creatinine clearance is advised in these patients. Caution should be used if the drug is given to patients with creatinine clearance of less than 20 mL/minute because accumulation of naproxen metabolites has been seen in such patients.
Chronic alcoholic liver disease and probably other diseases with decreased or abnormal plasma proteins (albumin) reduce the total plasma concentration of naproxen, but the plasma concentration of unbound naproxen is increased. Caution is advised when high doses are required and some adjustment of dosage may be required in these patients. It is prudent to use the lowest effective dose.
Studies indicate that, although total plasma concentration of naproxen is unchanged, the unbound plasma fraction of naproxen is increased in the elderly. Caution is advised when high doses are required and some adjustment of dosage may be required in elderly patients. As with other drugs used in the elderly, it is prudent to use the lowest effective dose.
I would advise getting in touch with your doctor immediately if not sooner.
I'm on Plaquenil too and I haven't noticed any side effects. THe first few days food tasted weird...glad that didn't last. Otherwise I seem to be ok. I'll be seeing the opthamologist every 6 months for an eye exam to make sure the plaquenil isn't causing any eye problems...I think this is routine when you're on Plaquenil though.
I did have side effects to Plaquenil. The best way I can describe it is that my legs felt like noodles that were ready to give way underneath me. My muscles ached and felt very weak. It is a rare side effect of Plaquenil and the doctors did not believe me, but I know that it stopped as soon as I stopped the plaquenil. The difficulty urinating could be from feeling weak all over. Definitely look up the side effects of the meds you are on and take the print out to your doctor. Hope you feel better soon.Fred...did you call your doc? Did you stop the Naproxen? I found several articles stating that urinating less than usual or not at all is a side effect that you need to stop taking the med immediately and contact your doc immediately.
Give us a holler when you can to make sure you are ok!!
Plaquenil caused everything to taste like metal. Dr. said that drinkingFred:
I'd still advise speaking to your doc ASAP about your reaction to Naproxen. There are other anti-inflams out there that could offer you relief without the side effects. Your doctor has a reporting obligation for serious side effects and it would be good to double check to be sure there are no underlying causes that made you react as you did to Naproxen.
Fred thanks for the update. Was getting worried about you!