Hydroxychloroquine

[MLNC]

Good and evening and seasons greetings. I was wondering if anyone else in the UK has been told by their Pharmacist that there are supply issues with this medication. Also, I cannot recall, the brand name of the generic variety that should be avoided by APS suffers, can anyone help?

[HollyHeski Administrator]

There was a problem in the summer but my last two prescriptions have been fine.

The recommended brand for APS patients is plaquenil.

[Sara_A in reply to HollyHeski]

Can I just ask why there is a specified brand for aps patients??? I've never heard this? And where has that come from?

Thanks

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, you will have to be firm with them, this is what they need to be sourcing for you. You can give them this information, which will help them:

Zentiva®

If your pharmacist has any difficulty obtaining Zentiva® branded hydroxychloroquine, the product description is: "HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULPHATE (ZENTIVA) 200MG FILM COATED" and the 'PIP number' (product code) is 1201730. If for any reason they cannot find the product on their system they can ring the customer service line on 0800 854 430.

MaryF

[MLNC in reply to MaryF]

Thank you so much. This is precisely what they have been sourcing for me for several years. However, I was told tonight that it was impossible to source any Hydroxychloroquine, it has been a difficult to source for a while and there is no foreseeable end to the problem. My pharmacist has always been very good to me, and has continually sourced Zentiva, without question, after I reported problems with other brands of Hydroxychloroquine. Therefore, I was curious to hear if anyone else has had problems. I know I am the middle of a rather bad patch and the loss of my immune modifier has me concerned. I have sourced some steroids from my GP, and will try and get an appointment at Guys ASAP, but this all has me a little concerned.

[Fra22-57 in reply to MLNC]

No problem at all getting mine at moment from GP pharmacy. Hope I don't as it helps such alot

[Fra22-57]

I see this time I picked meds up again was trying to give me Quinoric but gave them back saying on my prescription it must be the Zentiva brand.no problem then

[Sara_A]

I wasn't aware there was a brand that aps sufferers have to avoid!???! And my partner is a pharmacist!

I've often had different brands of it and never any issues. They all have the same ingredients just made by different companies.

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to Sara_A]

Hi, yes they all contain the same quantity of hydroxychloroquine but different pharmacies use different compound to make the tablet.

Some of us have found this mix causes us side effects. For me, when I was given the cheaper version I suffered terrible gastro problems.

[Sara_A]

Ah right ok so it's not actually that u can't have it with aps it's just some people have found that particular brand causes them problems mainly gastric issues??

It's not that it can't be used in aps

Thanks

[CheddarAddict]

Hi all, all I want to do is just be given the medication that makes me able to function sort of normally...

Have had issues yet again today, had found a Pharmacy, Day Lewis who's local Branch at Hassocks would usually hold some Zentiva in stock but would still be given Quinoric each time and need to check on collection to swap but today they gave me some from Bristol Laboratories Ltd. They are Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg Film-coated Tablets but so are Quinoric and I asked the question as to were these like Zentiva or Quinoric as one I can tolerate one I can't... Moody mare of a Manager was most put out that I dared to question what I was given and even more so when I said that I wasn't willing to risk taking them .. I would have been the rudest customer she had had all day if I didn't think they may still be my best bet mind.... so deep breath taken I refused to take them on basis that I didn't know if I could tolerate them. All she could say was she would need to call the manufacturer... but in a tone that meant there was no way she was bothering... or get the GP to specify Zentiva. She then said if I was refusing these then I couldn't have the other items if I was to take the prescription elsewhere.. so I said fine... take them and go off to GP's

The added problem is I can not get the GP to write either Zentiva or NOT Quinoric on the prescription just Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg Film-coated Tablets, so when I went to the Surgery today to try to sort this I was told by a receptionist that 'oh yes it says here you CAN have Quinoric' .. NOOOOOOO! That was from the last time I was trying to sort this and they managed to get that wrong way round on record.. Next job is to email the GP's to voice my concern that my records are incorrect and how do I check and change them....... She wrote everything down and said a Doctor would call.........

So back I go to Day Lewis and ask to speak to Pharmacist this time.. Get the real deal story.. They have none, they can request it but will be sent whatever the Group Buyers buy but even then there is no guarantee as to what will be in the regional depots.... It's a Lottery that up to now has worked. He is well aware of peoples issues with Quinoric and was the first 'non APS' health professionals when I first met him who knew and explained the difference in formulation...

He was however willing to try to source some Zentiva although to be honest I took it that really I shouldn't hold much hope... and he gave me the full details for the one they had in stock...

Sooooo big question please Ladies and Gents.. I do also understand there is no guarantee from this.... Has anyone used the following and had any adverse reaction (some will regardless I'm looking for numbers) or more importantly anyone on it and how is it going...

They're ALL Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg Film-coated Tablets but specifically from

Bristol Laboratories Ltd, PL 17907/0017

Thanks in advance

May actually start this as a fresh post in a couple of days if needed..

Barry

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Hi, just checked my notes and sorry the one you quote above is a definite no no for me - really upsets my tummy.

The pharmacy has no choice if your prescription states plaquenil (zentiva) so persevere with your GP.