There are drugs I'm allergic to and others I just have to take with food (like prednisone).
what symptoms are your trying to control? that kind of determines what your drug choices are.
I have been on Hydroxychloroquine (generic P) for a few years now, Can not handle Plaquenil itself. It did take a long time to let my body to adjust to it. Now though I really feel the effects if I miss a dose or don't renew it (due to lack of $) so I really try to stay on it. My rhumy finally weaned me off the prednisone after 10+ years on that ....I know being off it, I have worse inflamation but the side effects and havoc it was causing to my bones was becoming dangerous. I was never a breakfast eater but now have to eat something with the meds in the morning. Hang in there....Healing hugs...~Mare
I have been on Plaquenil for 8 years now and never had any problems with it. It is required that when using it you should get an eye examination every 6 months to make sure its not causing any bleeding to the back of the eyes. Sorry to hear about your allergic reactions with it. It is one of the maintenance drugs that really help with joint pains (which I haven't had in quite a few years). Hugs!
Aaaahhhh ok… hives, itching, swelling (angioedema, it sounds like) is serious enough to be concerned. There are other biologics but they’re for RA. thinking Methotrexate is a stronger drug and can leave you pretty wiped out (weekly injection). Steroids have 90+ potential negative side effects. I’m always sad when someone really can’t take Plaquenil, or it doesn’t work for them. Rather than real suppression of the immune system, it attenuates the receptors - reduces the reactivity. I don’t know of another med that works as gently in that regard.