Hydroxychloriquine - different brands

[Clairedown]

I am sure you can help. My hydroxychloriquine tablets have changed their colour. I am having real difficulty with the light and have rashes on every bit of exposed skin at the moment. I am also feeling so tired. I am having to avoid sitting near windows and the computer as well as dressing up like a silly person when I go out. Are some hydroxychloroquine tablets different from others? I just wondered if my current tablets are as effective, as my lupus has been much so much better controlled for several years now. Advice please.

[Krazykat26]

Hi Claire

If your tablets have changed colour it could be that your pharmacy have given u a different brand of hydroxychloroquine. Basically they have the same amount of hydroxy in them but many folk find certain brands hard to stomach coz of the fillers or coating on the tablets.

If u have a look on the box u will be able to determine which brand u r taking now..the usual three r Zentiva which everyone seems to prefer (me included), Bristol laboratory, or Black Rock.

U don't say what colour your tablets r so I'm not sure which brand u r taking at the moment.

Take care 🌈😽😽 xx

[LalSD]

Claire, I would discuss these symptoms with your GP first!!!!

Having said that, I had the same problem and changed to Zentiva brand. My problem is that any other brand makes me sick and bring lupus like symptoms. My pain increases, my body behaves as if lupus flare. It does not feel that my lupus getting better. It feels it gets worse. Therefore please check the brand using and request the pharmacist to offer another brand. Zentiva works best for many patients. I can see the difference immediately. But not sure which you use. Blackrock, Zentiva or Bristol laboratories? Again it can be a lupus flare and may e nohing to do with the brand? Lots of love, Lale x

[Howpeculiar]

Yes! I was diagnosed this year and I started taking the generic version, 200mg every other day, after a week I broke out in a rash all over my body. I have never been allergic to anything my whole life, and I always thought generic was exactly the same as name brand.

Switched to plaquenil 400mg a day, no issues.

[Ironmytherapy]

My Hydroxychloroquine are Bristol and white tablets. I think you should discuss with your lupus specialist as it could be a flare up, even taking these meds I still get flare ups and still get photosensitive rashes on exposed skin from the sun even if I use sun sense 50+ . Wishing you speedy wellness!

[Djlr]

Hi Claire....

This sounds like so many people in our Support Group.

Most of us have sun sensitivity with our Lupus (also UV lighting and computer screens). Sometimes just walking through a large store with UV lights can DRAIN us as bad as the sun.

Mine started before I was diagnosed with Lupus with rashes on my arms in the sun and it had not bothered me for the 1st 30 years of Sun Exposure. It really shocked me, since I was a Lifeguard in School - so sun was part of my daily life and now I was allergic to it🙄.

But, ‘Sun sensitivity’ is associated to Hydroxychloroquine as a known drug-induced symptom.

arthritisresearch.ca/sun-ex...

- Your repeated use could have finally caused a greater reaction to the drug?

- Also, it makes me wonder if some manufacturers and their specific “ingredients” might make this “Sensitivity” worse?

For example, “some lupus members” can only use Plaquenil because the GENERICS and their mixture of ingredients for them causes stomach issues, rash or other reactions.

If this is the case, your Rheumatologist should request that your pharmacist use only Plaquenil due to reactions so that insurance will approve the “upgrade”.

- Or it could be that the pharmacist ‘switched’ generic brands and you could see if they could order the original brand to see if that helps.

All could be possible, but keep in mind that Sun Sensitivity is a Lupus Symptom.

webmd.com/lupus/lupus-photo...

Armed with all the information everyone has shared, I would talk to the Pharmacist and your Doctor to see if the Hydroxychloroquine is adding to your problems.

I hope you get an answer and be sure to share if you find an answer.

We are all thinking of you and it is great that you are being so Proactive with “another” issue along your journey living with Lupus.

[Clairedown in reply to Djlr]

That is so helpful. My history mirrors yours. I first got a rash hanging out nappies when I had just had a baby aged 30. The diagnosis of lupus is fairly recent - some 30 years later!

I have never seen a rheumatologist but was referred to a dermatologist who discharged me after a few appointments and a prescription for hydroxychloroquine. I think I have SCLE but I have also had discoid lupus mentioned. Fatigue is a such a difficult thing to react to. I keep going as I feel pathetic and then just collapse in a heap. I know this is silly and I have a really supportive husband so I could be more sensible.

I will speak with the pharmacist as he is very good. I will also send a referral to my GP and ask for a referral to a rheumatologist for advice. My grateful thanks. Claire

[BINNEY]

Hey there i live in Barbados most of the generic hydroxychloroquine is canadian brands all of which i have tried and made me so sick pr extremely dizzy .. so i had to source getting uk branded ones i have used black rock labs and currently using bristol which are working great for me thank goodness. Havent tried the other brand mentioned above but i say this to say you have to try out the different brand to see which works best for you. Something the canadians use clearly doesnt work well with me at all.

Plaquenil is the best of you can get it its super expensive now so not an option fpr me right now.

[Clairedown in reply to BINNEY]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Armed with the replies I have received my pharmacist is making some enquiries too. I didn’t realise that all tablets were different even if they were the same prescription.

It takes so much energy to keep well!

[catno1]

Hi

Please have a read of Paul Howard's advice on Hydroxychloroquine. It helped me after suddenly reacting to a new type of Hydroxychloroquine after Plaquenil disappeared.