Hrdroxychloroquine

[MandaM]

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.

[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 in reply to Neriah]

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

[panda2 in reply to MandaM]

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 in reply to panda2]

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 in reply to MandaM]

She's plum wrong.. : )

[willowwag in reply to MandaM]

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 in reply to MandaM]

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 in reply to willowwag]

You're a star. Thank you. 😀

[willowwag in reply to MandaM]

Your welcome ManaM

[willowwag in reply to panda2]

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]

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]

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 in reply to willowwag]

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]

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]

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 Partner LUPUS 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]

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 Partner LUPUS UK in reply to MandaM]

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.