My original prescription from the rheumatologist was Hydroxychloroquine, my repeat from the pharmacist is quinoric.

[Pennypug]

The rheumatologist started me on prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine which after a few days of tummy issues I settled well on the hydroxychloroquine. Collected my repeat prescription and have been given quinoric. I'm now on day 3 of the quinoric and have several problems, nausea, terrible reflux (even with lansoprazole), stomach pain, diarrhea, bloated and awful wind! I've started to get skin rashes and joint swelling and pain again and the fatigue has drastically increased. The only other change in meds on starting the quinoric was the prednisolone dose was tapered down to 5mg per day.

My question is am I reacting to the quinoric and need to change back to hydroxychloroquine or could this be the down to lower dose of prednisolone, how long do I persevere as each day the symptoms are getting worse?

Appreciate any help, ideas on this, thank you.

[joannebond360]

Hi. I had this at the start too, hospital gave me plaquinal and then gp have me quinoric, same thing happened to me, didn't get on with them, called my gp and explained, they have to write plaquenil on the prescription or they will give you quinoric instead. Not sure why, maybe it's a cheaper version or something.

I also get terrible tummy problems when tapering prednisilone, really bad tummy cramps and nausea and also the joint pain and terrible fatigue, sweats and aches. That should pass after a week, I feel like I'm having a flare up but it's the steroid withdrawal.

Jo x

[SarahHeney]

I always get plaquinil as Hydroxychloriquine and quinoric habe harsh effect on my tummy. Thry are cheap generic brands. Phone gp and explain and they should be able to leave a prescription for you to collect. The difference is that Plaquinil are coated. Steroid reduction gives me terrible pain which lasts about 10 days or so. I only reduce fortnightly at .5 of an mg. Hope this helps xx

[Hidden in reply to SarahHeney]

I had an horrific reaction to Quinoric all the symptoms you describe plus muscle weakness and extreme fatigue. It has been featured on the lupus website as problem drug. The fillers contain silica which is known irritant for autoimmune sufferers.

Get you Gp to prescribe only Plaquenil. The effects lasted for months with me even when I was back on Plaquenil. I put in a yellow card to the drugs monitoring authority.

[Dawn1977]

Quinoric is a generic make of hydroxychloroquine - same active ingredients. However some people do seem to struggle with it. Personally, I don't have any problem with it, although it did make me feel a bit sick and windy for the first couple of weeks. I have no experience of the other medication though so can't advise on that. Can you speak to your rheumatologist or GP?

[Belee]

hi, I also didn't get on with quinoric. I had the most awful 'gurgly' tummy, horrendous wind and nausea and the fatigue was awful. After talking to my GP, she always writes plaquenil on my prescription now (with a little reminder from me!!) as I find it much gentler on my tummy. when I asked the pharmacist why they give out quinoric instead of the plaquenil he said that it has the same ingredients but is much cheaper!

Talk to your GP!

All the best, xxx

[Pennypug in reply to Belee]

Belee gurgly tummy describes it perfectly! It was annoying but now awkward needing a toilet nearby at short notice! Seeing gp Friday for skin biopsy so will bring it up with her as pharmacist completely dismissed me and offered no alternative. X

[Shadows-walker]

Hi have been taken off hydrocholquinne because of my eyes ,and been told I will be put on one like it once I have seen eye specialist ,does anyone know if this is likely to be the drug he puts me on as I suffer quite badly with my stomach anyway ,and I loved hydro as my fatigue went away and I felt so much better on it and was quite upset when he said I could not have it any more.

[Sjink in reply to Shadows-walker]

Hi. I take mepacrine as can't take hydroxycloroquine because of eye damage. Have no problem/side effects with the low dose I am on. Xx

[Pennypug]

I would say that my eyes have been more blurry in the short time Iv been on quinoric x

[pippa-19]

Recently got a diff hydro pill with yellow coating imm had same tummy etc problems have hearx from someone else same so think its the yellow coating my pharmy changed me back imm. Hope this helps x

[gco34]

This has been changed for most of us as this drug is cheaper! I was told by the GP.

[Pennypug]

I'm at the drs today for skin biopsy and hope to get the prescription changed back to plaquenil, had a very painful night and feel like I'm right back to where I started. Xx

[Pennypug]

Gp has given me prescription for plaquenil now as definately an allergic reaction. Told to stop quinoric immediately. Just had the task of finding a pharmacy who hold it in stock. After 11 pharmacies Iv finally found one! Very stressed now xx