Hydroxychloroquine brand change. Increased symptoms.

[Belleo]

Has anybody experienced that a change in brands of hydroxychloroquine has not been as effective? I usually take Plaquenil (I live in Australia). Due to the pandemic and also due to an entrepreneur buying up all supplies of Plaquenil in past months I had to swap to Hequinel’ brand, as Plaquenil was not available. I’ve been extremely fatigued for the last few weeks and am now thinking the worsening fatigue may have started with the change in hydroxychloroquine brands. Has anybody else experienced this?

[Hidden]

Yes I experienced a change of symptoms when mine was changed and I requested another brand I was given zentiva which is as close to it as I could obtain hopefully you can obtain Zentiva hydroxy

[Hidden]

Yes I found that too, I went from plaquenil to quinoric and felt very unwell again with constant stomach issues. I have zentiva now and that seems fine.

[FEEL-THE-BLUE]

Yes I felt the same, specially hydroxy different brands have some issues. My pharmacist gave me quinoric and my symptoms got worse and now I specially ask for Zentiva only which keeps my symptoms well controlled.

[Cal48]

Some years ago Plaquinel became the generic Zentiva. I was given Quinoric which did not suit me.I contacted Sanofi the manufacturers of Zentiva and was told there should not be supply issues at the time.

I had Zentiva named on my prescription .

[Pumpkin2009]

Hi! i requested going back to now generic Plaquenil as I believe it is more effective. Also, I had increased stomach/intestinal problems while on the generic.

Healing hugs.

[Duchess88]

Hi, often when they change you to a generic it's the coatings on the pills that can cause stomach problems.

[catno1]

Hi,Changing in brands caused me problems. As you live in Australia it may be best to ask Paul Howard, one of the Lupus UK administrators if he can advise you. Zentiva and Black Rock Hydroxychloroquine are good. Please see the Pinned Posts on here for his advice it may help.

[Heatheric]

Hi there, over time I've had 3 different brands and have had no difference in response at all.

[Elfie1]

Hi I've been on hydroxy for 10 yrs. My pharmacyst usually tries to give me the Zentiva brand. I've also had plaquanil with no problems but quinoric is another story so the problems lies in the coating. However taking quinoric right in the middle of a meal solved the problem completely. Hope that helps. All the best Elfie

[Jogest]

Hello I find it’s the coatings that give me problems, if I’m left on the same brand for 8 weeks the problems settle down.

I’ve never had my symptoms flare up as a result of a change in the brand I’m taking.

John

[Kali]

This is interesting. I live in Wales UK and also was given quinoric which doesn’t agree with me . I also prefer the Zentiva brand. I had no idea that using different suppliers caused issues until I started taking meds for breast cancer and had some awful side effects on some of the different brands. Only then have I really thought about it in my lupus treatments. The active ingredient is the same but the coatings are the cause of the issue.

[Cas70]

Hi - I have just been given Black Rock brand and all my stomach issues are back - I realised as well that the fatigue is back to a degree. Quinoric wasn’t too bad, but the best brand by far is Zentiva. I cannot get in touch with my Doctor - they have all disappeared from our Surgery - I hope you manage to get your prescription changed to Zentiva soon.

[tree_shadow]

I seem to get random brands each time the script is filled. I haven't noticed anything in effects I blame on the medication brand. .

[Etostar]

I have been taking hydroxy since 2013, I live in the US. I notice when I took it late afternoon when I was off work, I felt a little dizzy and lethargic. So I decided to take it just before I go to bed for the night. The question regarding if I had any problem when the pharmacist changes the brand for hydroxy? Yes, one time I notice the hydroxy was not working, the pain returned, so I returned to the pharmacy and let them know my issue and they switch back to the original brand. Hydroxy has pretty much always worked for me and this is the only medication I take for RA. I am so thankful that is all I take. I hope you are able to work out the meds that will work well for you. Hugs.