Hrdroxychloroquine: My dermatologist has prescribed... - LUPUS UK

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Hrdroxychloroquine

MandaM profile image
18 Replies

My dermatologist has prescribed me with Hydroxychloroquine 200mg one bd. Im also on Tacrolimus and Mrcophenalte Mofetil for my Lupus and to protect my renal transplant. The chemist just gave me the cheapest Quinoric. I've just read on here that Quinoric is bad for lupus and for skin. It's because of my face and neck skin problems currently that I've been prescribed this. I can't find the post now on what brand I need to have instead of Quinoric. Can anybody advice me please. I'm worried enough about the potential macular degeneration! Im in the UK so UK med brands advice needed. Thank you.

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MandaM
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18 Replies
Neriah profile image
Neriah

Hi MandaM,

I've been on Hydroxychloroquine, 200mgs a day, firstly Plaquenil and now Quinoric, for about 15 years. For most of this time, this was the only lupus medication I had. I don't think I have had any problems with either of them. The only time I had skin problems during this time was when I took myself off it .

I do have some eye problems now. I've had a cataract which was successfully operated on and also have glaucoma, but these are most likely to have been caused by the steroids I have had to have over the last few years (for lupus nephritis), plus a family predisposition to glaucoma. I don't have macular degeneration.

I'm now off the steroids and am back on just the Quinoric and a low dose of Losartan, for high blood pressure. I don't have any rashes. Mind you, I'm careful with sunscreen and keeping out of the sun.

I hope that is some use. We're all different of course and your reactions may be very different from mine,

MandaM profile image
MandaM in reply toNeriah

Thank you. I was wondering whether or not to request the pharmacy to change the Quinoric they gave me.

panda2 profile image
panda2 in reply toMandaM

Just on Wednesday my Rheumatologist double-checked that I was on Zentiva Hydroxychloroquine because it can be better tolerated for people who have side-effects from Quinoric. I have to make a special call to the pharmacist each time I order it, because they will give me the Quinoric brand if I don't. You would probably need a doctor's authorisation to change the brand. Hope that helps!

Panda x

MandaM profile image
MandaM in reply topanda2

Thank you. Yes I will have to check on this and ask the GP to specify. I asked a pharmacist about a brand beginning with Z & she said there' no such thing!

panda2 profile image
panda2 in reply toMandaM

She's plum wrong.. : )

willowwag profile image
willowwag in reply toMandaM

Wanda tell them its Zentiva Hydroxcychlorquine I will look for my original post from way back and give you the pharmacy order code now xx

willowwag profile image
willowwag in reply toMandaM

Here is all the info you need MandaM if your pharmacies say the can't get it they Tell them to ring Zentiva/Sanofi Tel No is 01483 505515

Zentiva 200mg Hydroxcychloroquine

The Product code : 1201730

MandaM profile image
MandaM in reply towillowwag

You're a star. Thank you. 😀

willowwag profile image
willowwag in reply toMandaM

Your welcome ManaM

willowwag profile image
willowwag in reply topanda2

All you need to do Is ask your doctors who do your repeat to state Zentiva and then make sure in the pharmacy you check they have put it on the screen so its flagged who ever does you script xxx

Lin007 profile image
Lin007

Hi MandaM

Yes, I have now been on the Zentiva Hydroxy, this is much better for me (I have a diagnosis with positive ANCA-with lupus like symptoms!) my rheumy wouldn't give me Quinoric because lots don't have a good reaction, first tried Bristol brand which I reacted badly to, Zentiva seems really good for me.

good luck

willowwag profile image
willowwag

Hi my lovely it was myself who did the original post regarding Hydroxcychloroquine having been on the brand Planquinel/ Now called Zentiiva Hydroxcychloroquine for many years a few years back I was given I the Generic Hydroxcychloroquine (Quinoric) by the pharmacy because it was alot cheaper. Having had the bad reaction I can only take the Zentiva brand, the pharmacy may tell you that its the same but its not the main component hydroxy is yes but the fillers are so different and it is this which many can't tolerate. I have even talked this through with the makers at Sanofi/Zentiva who confirmed this in a email for me to take to the pharmacy along with a letter from my consultant. I have had the same thing happen with my epilepsy meds I have to have Keppra brand and i can't tolerate the other fillers. Good luck

MandaM profile image
MandaM in reply towillowwag

Ah....Thank you. I don't know how quickly any bad side effects can kick in but I'm only on day 5 and ok so far. 🍀

Sarahd1609 profile image
Sarahd1609

I’m on 400mg/ day hydroxychloroquine but at the moment it’s for psoriatic Arthritis as only 50% of my lupus markers are positive so they can’t diagnose lupus. They one I have is purely called hydroxychloroquine sulphate so I don’t know what type it is or wether my gp has prescribed the pure version xx

MandaM profile image
MandaM

Hi, the name of your Hydtoxychloroquine will be on the back of the pills blister packs. Thats where I discovered that I had the cheap ones!. 😣

Paul_Howard profile image
Paul_HowardPartnerLUPUS UK

Hi MandaM ,

Not everyone experiences adverse reactions from the Quinoric brand of hydroxychloroquine; many people take it with no problem at all. There are a fair few people who do experience some additional side effects from this brand though and so they take care to avoid it. You can read more about this and find out how to get the other brands at lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

MandaM profile image
MandaM

Thank you Paul fotlr your usual advice. I have requested a repeat prescription by brand name so I will hopefully get Planequil next time. Im so pumped full of meds it's important to me not to add any more side effects in the mix! 😣

Paul_Howard profile image
Paul_HowardPartnerLUPUS UK in reply toMandaM

Hi MandaM. I doubt you will be able to get Plaquenil because it is no longer being produced. Zentiva has the same formulation as Plaquenil though.

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