Hydroxychloroquin increase

[Biddy47]

Hi everyone, just a quick question. I have a new rheumatologist and he has increased my Hydroxychloroquin from 200mg a day to 200mg one day and 400 on alternate days. On the day I take the 400mg should I take both tablets at breakfast or take 1 at breakfast and 1 at dinner? Thanks.

[maggielee]

Hi I take them one breakfast & one dinner after eating....ml

[Boudica1]

Hi, I'm on 400 a day and take one in the morning and one in the evening as that is what the doctor said.

[GlasgowHen]

I’m on the same regime as you. I take both in the morning. I have to take it with food and because of gastro issues I eat very little in the evening. Seems to work.

Hope it works well for you. I found my energy levels in particular really benefitted from the increase

[GlasgowHen]

It’s quite common to be prescribed this dependent on body weight. I’m a light weight, 400mg every day would be too much so an accumulative dose of 300mg is more suitable.

Hydroxychloroquine is a long term medication so prescribing an accumulative dose is fine.

[Biddy47 in reply to GlasgowHen]

Thanks as I said to Pippa it's because of my weight, I'm light too.

[GlasgowHen in reply to Biddy47]

Hi biddy, my reply above was to pippa as it seems she was concerned and it’s quite a common practice.

Hope the increase works well for you, it certainly made a difference to me

[Jmcb123]

This is same dosage regimen as me, I split the 400mg, one in morning, one in evening and take the 200mg day tablet in evening. No reason to be concerned about dose, I’m a pharmacist and dose is weight/symptom dependent. X

[Biddy47 in reply to Jmcb123]

Precisely what Con. says. Thanks

[freemare]

Hi

I’m in the US. I do not have a Lupus dx but I have a lot of the symptoms so my Rheumatologist treats me accordingly.

I have Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease and Severe Fibromyalgia and a dozen other things. I’ve been on 200mg 2x a day for three-four years and I take one in the morning and one in the evening.

If you take anything for your stomach, make sure you take it a few hours apart from the Hydroxychloroquine (I have/had Barrett’s Disease and GERD, Acid Reflux and a hiatal Hernia; so I’m on Pantoprozole 2x day also which I am lucky if I take one a day because I’ve taken my meds and then forget to take it later!).

~Mare

[Sara_A]

I used to take 400mg daily, 200mg am and 200mg PM as found it was better on my tummy that way.

Was on this a out 10 yrs. Had to stop recently as possible eye issues.

[Biddy47]

He is a consultant rheumatologist. Apparently it is according to my weight. What makes you worried Pippa?

[nanleighh in reply to Biddy47]

Don’t worry, that is a normal dose, and a life saving medication for many of us. Hugs, Nan

[Hamptons]

I take 400 and 600 to stop me taking giant amounts. Reduced from 800 daily.

[Gmagolf]

I take one after breakfast and one after dinner

[amwas]

Hi Pippa. Try not to worry. I was on 400 mg daily two tablets of 200 taken together after food. I was on these for a decade and they did help over time. Now the recommendation is for 5 years treatment duration so I was suddenly stopped 3 years ago. To no ill effect for me, anyway.

Lupus is a difficult disease but once the appropriate treatment on an individual basis is established it helps. I had azathioprine for 5 months each year for two years but had side effects to my liver so I stopped this med. I also took prednisone on and off for 8 years.

I am a psychologist so was able to access a good rheumatologist eventually after a few

Experiences of feeling like an experiment!

Treatment is much better 12 years on from my diagnosis.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Hidden ,

It is not uncommon for hydroxychloroquine to be prescribed in this manner. As it is prescribed based on ideal body weight, a proportion of people will not match a 200mg or 400mg daily dose. This is an equivalent way of prescribing a 300mg dose. It would be easier if the tablets were available in doses of a size different to 200mg.