Allergy

[Simmer]

Has anyone had an allergic reaction to hydroxychloroquine and what did they do about it?

[MaryF]

I had a very severe allergic reaction, and was advised straight away to come of it, starting with itching and blotches and then progressed into a full systemic reaction, even though I was on steroids and other things to calm it, it can be very serious, you need to get medical advice if you are starting to react. Even days later my face was swelling up, I also peeled from head to toe and had what looked like serious sunburn. Mary F x

[Simmer in reply to MaryF]

Went to docs and they took me off it. Sunburn on scalp and hypersensitivity to light and noise. Not sure if it is the lupus or the medication they said so its a case of wait and see

[uzi41]

Hi the only side effect that I had was that it made me drowsy so couldn't take one in the morning so am taking 2 with my evening meal.

Good luck

Uzi x

[madmagz]

Hi I am allergic to quinnine one of the main active ingredients in that drug and it sounds like you have had a similar reaction to how I reacted every time I came into contact with it. I was advised to avoid it in medications and in drinks, it is best to have any rash investigated and stop a drug on a doctors advice if that is the cause as coming of some suddenly can cause problems.

Good luck and I hope the symptoms all go away again quickly

Madmagz x

[JacquieCD]

My arms itched so badly I felt like ripping my skin off. GP said was side effect of Hydroxychloroquine and I had to stop taking it for a time and try again...The same thing happened when I started it again so I have been told not to take it. I have just started taking Azathioprine instead on instruction from my Rheumy. I hope you find something else you can take too.

[willow80]

I had a reaction, it began with spotting all over the skin and then itching badly. I was told to stop the medication immediately. They may try you with Chloroquine Sulphate, however this also didn't agree with me it brought me out in chronic wet eczema on lower arms and legs. I have had to take doses of Prednisolone. Hopefully you will be treated well. Good wishes.

[Hidden in reply to willow80]

Is it Quinoric or Plaquenil? I had a horrendous reaction to Quinoric but have been taking Plaquenil for 11 years without a problem. Chemists are choosing to give out Quinoric because it is cheaper. Ask your GP to stipulate Plaquenil on your prescription.

[Simmer in reply to Hidden]

Quinoric. Really bad reaction like I'm having seizure . Jaw clamps, can't stand noise, bright light, extremely sensitive to sunlight, terrible headache, dizziness and nausea. Mouth goes numb and excess saliva. Almost like a fit but without the jerking, just a slight tremor. What were your symptoms?

[Hidden in reply to Simmer]

Same symptoms with muscle weakness, legs collapsing, horrendous diarrhea. Eye problems which I am still having 5 months after I have stopped taking it. I posted on the yellow card website. You should do the same. We need as many people to flag up this crap drug. It has fillers which are the problem, not the hydroxychloroquine. There is a laxative in it ( totally bizarre I know) and silica which is a known irritant for people with autoimmune conditions.

Lupuswriter one of the posters on this site posted an informative article in March 2012.

It was Lupus UK which alerted me to the problems with Quinoric. St Thomas's hospital also advised me on this stuff as well. Hope this helps.

I am still angry as I was so well and managing the Lupus, Sjogren's and Vasculitis. I was diagnosed in 2002. It has been a rollercoaster but I was doing well.

[Simmer in reply to Hidden]

Not had the diarrhoea. Have to watch tv with sunglasses on and have the volume low. Thanks for advice ill check it out and mention it to my GP on Tuesday about the plaqenil. Cheers

[Simmer in reply to Hidden]

What. Is the yellow card website?

[Hidden in reply to Simmer]

Hi Simmer. The yellow card scheme is available via the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority website(see link below). It allows anyone to report any adverse effects of any drug or herbal remedy. It is a very useful and important repository for any information regarding any medicine licensed or unlicensed. They collate the data to get a truer sense of the effect of individual or groups of medicines. If they see significant patterns then they can take action if necessary. Doctors and nurses will use it to report any adverse effects that they observe in their patients. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

[Simmer in reply to Hidden]

Thanks madlottie. You've been very helpful x

[tintin49]

I find my body aches really really badly. very tender muscles and lots of sweating. I raelly don't like it but the other treatments are far stronger and I only have "mild lupus"

[Simmer in reply to tintin49]

I think mine was only mild before I went on quinoric. They do say that sometimes the medication is worse than the illness. It seems in our case that's true

[tintin49 in reply to Simmer]

and the sad thing is you cant stop it. I have to add to my meds because of the constant discomfort with the plaq.it has benefits for sle as it protects your organs. I have scarring on my heart so feel compelled to take it now.

[willow80]

Hi Evans

Sorry for delay couldn't get on to Health Unlocked!

I was on plaquenil not the other.

[Mainshah]

Hay I'm on Hydroxychloroquine everything seems to be fine for me, the only thing I suffer from is when taking it, is stomach pains and often diarrhoea.

[kittykat68]

hi reading all your posts i was the same for the first 2 years then i reduced mine to 200 a day AND i take 2 antihistamin(piriton) and the itching / sensativity to light /cold and flu symptons is brilliant , has anyone got ibs as well if so enquire to your dr about omperazole as that eases my stomach pains and diarrhoea also tramadol (should cause constipation) however with me it levels me out so i only go to the toilet maybe twice a day now instead of 13 times hope ive helped

[kittykat68]

wow somehow i missed a whole sentance out there lol lupy fog , the tramadol i find if you take 2 in the morning they actually give u a lot of pain relif and energy , but if i take one in the morning it makes me very tired and in lots of pain weird i know but then if i take more that 4 a day i cant sleep