Hoping someone can give me their experience?? I started Plaquenil 2 weeks ago today. Initially I had to get to the loo FAST!!! This occurred about 3-4 hours after taking the med - right on bed time. However, I lived with it and persevered. In the past few days however, it is the opposite. Furious pain in my stomach and back most of the day resulting in what would now seem to be constipation......any advise?? I want to pack it in, but because as I live in Melbourne Australia, and this weekend being Melbourne Cup weekend, it is unlikely my Dr will be available until mid week next week. Not sure what to do but to hang out on the lounge moaning and groaning. Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated! Cheers and thanks in advance.
I get it really bad from other meds. I haven’t experienced it with the plaqunille. I have taken stool softeners and myralx it works a little. But my doc proscribed lactulose and that works wonders! So I don’t know if that’s something your doc can order or not. Its a think syrup that tastes like butterscotch. I don’t mind it my doc laughs at me and says yeah ur the one that likes it. Apparently not every one does…
When I was put on plaquenil a few years ago.....I could only take it for a few weeks and had to stop......
I was having diarrhea from 12 to 20 times every day and it shot my blood pressure up really high.......I thought it was gonna just kill me !!!
Another Dr. last year told me that I should have been started on a half pill and then build up to the full dose over a few weeks and then maybe I could have tolerated it.........I don't know if that would have helped me or not.....but something to think about if I have to try again.........
My thoughts and prayers are with you.....take care :)
I live in a completely different world with ibs with constipation… Part of my fibro while I have lupus also the plaquenil made me very light headed and woozy nothing bathroom related but maybe each of us have our own reactions and maybe it has to do with other meds you are on too… I take about 10 meds including the plaquenil. I would try to hold out because I hear the other meds are a bit worse and lots more expensive since no generic… But remember that this drug was actually initially an antibiotic for malaria which could probably upset your stomach
Unfortunately, Plaquenil has been known to cause gut issues. Keep in mind that if you were having even a mild flare at the time, then you may have had some inflammation in your tract thereby making things worse. If this doesn’t seem to be the case, see if you can offset the effect by taking foods that have the opposite effect on you. For example, when I had to take a med that would lead to constipation, I’d take it with yogurt (I’m a little lactose intolerant) and the symptoms wouldn’t be as bad. It’s a delicate dance to start a new med. Good luck to you. You’re not alone in this.
Hi
I started on 2 plaquenil last december. It gave me a lot of gas, better than the mouth sores When he upped (is that a word?) me to 3 it gave me occasional diahrea still better than the mouth sores. Took an antibiotic last month for what the dr said was diviticulitis and got nonstop diahrea. for two days so I stuck it out til meds were gone. I have asczymic colitis. o I hae stomach issues anyway After checking with the dr, of course, you need to decide if the cure is or is not better than the ailment. I think that's how most of us have to deal with meds. There' no cut and dried answer. Always check with dr before stopping meds.
Cindy
I have been taking plaquenil twice a day for two years. It takes a while but does help with lupus symptoms along with other meds including prednisone. It is important to take plaquenil with food. Otherwise you are asking for stomach/ bowel issues. It does give me lots of gas. But I have gotten used to it. Hang in. It’s a good medication and inexpensive.
Many thanks for all of your impute. I will persevere as from the sound of your answers, the response of my body isn't unusual, which I think is really what I wanted to check. Again - may thanks for taking the time to respond.
I started with an 1/8 of the dose along with nexium everyday and slowly bumped it up. Not a problem. Now I can take it without any nexium and no side effects.
I didn’t know plaquenil can cause gut issues. I’ve been on it for about 5 years now but I had stomach issues before taking it. I always eat first and that helps. I’ve found plaquenil really helps with my symptoms. Hope you feel better soon!
Both can happen takes a while until your system gets used to it. A laxative of some sort would work for now theyare over the counter at any drug store or even grocery store, that's what I had to do and then things settled down with occasional diarrhea depending on what I ate. Just try to be patient with it, it takes time. But definitley let your doctor know what's going on. In the meantime though I'd get a laxative, won't hurt you and will make you feel lots better after it works and drink lots of water too.
Snowwolf
I've been on plaquenil since 2002 and it has worked wonders for me all glory to God, I haven't had any issues at all until I asked my doctor to take me down to 1 200 mg. pill a day which was a mistake because I started having muscle aches and pain in my body and my feet were hurting terribly, so I asked my doctor to put me back on 2 pills a day, best of luck to you. God Bless You!
I've been on "it." for 15 years. Was eventually cut down to 1 per day because of the gray. My issue with plaquenil is that it turns my forearms gray and ugly--also from knees to ankles. It's got to be the worst looking side effect. Does anyone else have this side effect?
Digestive tract: Zantac (ranitidine) 300 mg 2 times a day. I take it an hour before taking meds in the morning and evening. If I don't do this, all my pills boomerang. Also can take famotidine 40 mg (brand name?) 2 times per day and works just like zantac. Stool softener works, really need it for the pain pill side effects. Medications, ech!
You have to hold on.
Hey Noahandme,
I am on Plaquenil as well. I don't have any words of wisdom, but I want to thank you for the insight you have provided me for the plaquenil. I have had this same problem and been back and for the to my doctor several times and to no avail. As a matter of fact I stopped taking it and of course I had to get back on it because I can't be without it or I can't function like I need to, and I seemed to do better. When you look at the big picture and what the other alternatives are, beefing up your fiber and adding fruit and yogurt is a small price to pay. Also, please get your eyes checked now, and then get them checked regularly every year after. Plaquenil can damage your eyes, but if you are getting them checked on a regular basis your eye doctor will be able to see it and stop the medicine in time. I think this too, is rare, but better to be safe than sorry. I do not have Lupus, but I do have RA and that is why I take Plaqunil.
Thanks,
Joanie
I have been taking plaquenil for over 30 years. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to adjust to it. I recommend taking it in the morning with breakfast. It does irritate my IBS at times but only when I’m not drinking enough water and eating enough fiber. Plaquenil can cause weight loss and decreased cholesterol. I know that some people have a tough time with the stomach side effects. Some of them got relief by switching manufacturers. Different companies use different fillers and they were reacting to the fillers not the drug. It’s a little hard to remember all of the initial side effects since I was 12 when I started it…lol I did stop it during my pregnancies though just to be safe so I remember dealing with stomach issues. If you have more questions just ask. I’ve been dealing with lupus, sjogren’s, vasculitis, etc… for a long time. I hope it works for you, Annemarie
Hi Annemarie
Do you think it's that important to drink a lot of water . I'm not use to drinking a lot of water but if you really think it helpsI will do it.
Thanks everyone foryour help and support.
Cindy
Give it a chance it is easier to tolerate the longer you are on it… I only take 1 tablet a day because that is all I need I don’t need 2… I have constipation constantly and I just eat alot of fruit and fruit juices to deal with it… I’d rather have that than a bad flare up
My magic bullet is…,…wait for it… Raisins! I also use Senna but deal with IBS as well. With the pain meds, I struggle with constipation. I also have a fine line between just enough senna and whoa, that was too much. I’ve learned to get that extra help with raisins. I always have some at the house. Good luck!!!
I have been taking Plaquenil 2X's a day for several years and have never had a problem. I guess I'm lucky but I usually take it a meal times and not on an empty stomach.
Good Morning
Everyone talks about plaquenil causing constipation. I have the opposite, I have diahrrea that I am blaming on plaquenil.
Maybe my problem is_not plaquenil. The gastro dr sent me for a ct scan last week and next week I am going for a flexible sigmoidoscopy, don't get jealous now. Does anyone know the difference between ascymic colitis and IBS??
Cindy