Hydroxychloroquine ~ sun sensitivity?

[RachelD1972]

Hi everyone, I have Ra and was diagnosed with discoid Lupus last summer. My rheumy juggled my meds and added hydroxychloroquine 200mg. Approx a month after starting this I noticed I was getting more sun sensitive and had a nasty flare which has taken most of the winter to calm down. I have seen dermatologists and they are blaming the discoid Lupus. We are now having some warm & sunny days in the uk and the burn is back, despite using spf. 50. I have been on various other meds in the past including methotrexate and have never had this issue. Has anyone else had problems while on hydroxy? Thanks in advance & have a lovely Easter x

[PMRpro]

Photosensitivity is a listed adverse effect of hydroxy.

[Neriah in reply to PMRpro]

I'm missing something here. If as I understand it, hydroxychloroquine is supposed to suppress inflammation and help limit flares, why are we prescribed it if it causes photosensitivity = inflammation = flares?

[PMRpro in reply to Neriah]

All different sorts of inflammation.

[RachelD1972 in reply to PMRpro]

arthritisresearch.ca/sun-ex...

[Neriah in reply to PMRpro]

Can you be more specific?

[PMRpro in reply to Neriah]

Inflammation is not always caused by the same underlying problem. For some people the benefits outweigh the downsides and as Rachel says, it is only in a few people that it causes sun sensitivity. If it works well for 95% of patients it is worth trying.

[RachelD1972 in reply to Neriah]

Haha, you and me both! I spoke to a pharmacist today who said it can cause sun sensitivity in a few people. I was prescribed it last July by my rheumatologist. I’ve seen 2 dermatologists who didn’t even mention it when I flagged up I was having issues. Even talking about doing light therapy treatment for it. Seems crazy if it’s a drug induced issue. It is controlling my Discoid Lupus though.

[Djlr]

Lupus patients have to stay out of the sun -the sensitivity and my rashes, lupus body flares increased drastically if I am in the sun.

We are instructed to wear sunscreen underneath our clothing – you can use RIT -Sun Guard to wash your clothes and it gives it a 30 SPF for about 20 washes.

Just walking to the car in the sunlight, even on a foggy day, can still be a problem for us. Ultraviolet lights on the inside of the house or in a store can also causes problems. I guess this is one of the worst parts with Lupus, The sun is definitely our enemy.

So I don't think it's sensitivity to the medication, I believe it's just leaves itself.

I know Lupus patients that have been put in the hospital after spending some time they thought was not but one afternoon outside when it was pretty, and their bodies could not handle it.

Protecting our eyesight is the only thing we have to worry about on hydroxychloroquine.

lupus.org/resources/protect...

I am so sorry, we learn to do things a little differently – and we finally do adjust to our different, "new norm".

Read more about Lupus in the sunlight and what it can do to lupus patients. It might help you understand it better. Plus there are several different types of discoid Lupus, i.e.: tumid lupus, etc.

healthline.com/health/lupus...

Wishing you well, and remember knowledge is power living with Lupus 💜

[Djlr]

hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info...

Sun # 1 - avoidance