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I have been on Plaquenil for several years with no issues, but for the last month when I take it, I start to feel sick after about 30mins, it subside during the day, but takes a few hours.
I have been taking the same brand all the time, so not sure what could be causing it.
Taking my medication is the only thing I can link with feeling like this.
When I first started to takes them I felt nauseous so I changed to taking them at night time and I've had no further issues 🌹
Hi Polkadot, sorry to hear about your issues with taking hydroxy. How strange that you should start to feel nauseous now, after taking it for years! Could it be a flare?
You’re probably already doing this, but I find that taking hydroxy after food helps. Try that, especially with dairy if you can, as that may line your stomach a bit better. Let us know how you get on. 🌻🌈
I have heard that diary line the stomach p, I have been drinking my coffee black in the morning, so may try and introduce milk again.
Hope it makes a difference to that nausea!
hi polkadot I developed nausea and headaches on various brands of hydoxychlioroquine. After much shopping I ended up on Zentiva it’s a purer form, the drug is made into tablets with fewer things that can cause problems, many people are on Zentiva for this reason. Get your Gp to specify Zentiva on your script and the pharmacy are obliged to get it, I’ve had no further trouble on it. Good luck
I have been on them for 18 years this month but have been put down to one a day now. Hope you soon feel a bit better.
I had the same problem…I came off the plaquenil for about a couple of years,but continued to take my non steroid tablets and amitriptyline, with good effect.
I have the same problem, I believe it’s not the same brand as before
Hi. As said before I changed to Zentiva , might have a bit of a fight to get it as it is more expensive for the pharmacy but worth persevering. Good luck.
Hi Pilkadot02,
I started taking hydroxychloroquine at the end of 2018 after being diagnosed with SLE. I was told my condition was mild and I did not need steroids and this drug was prescribed 400mg daily. I could not tolerate it with terrible nausea. I stopped taking it but when I flared after contracting Covid it was suggested I try 200mg daily and I did. I took them at night after reading a post on this site, the nausea was still there but not at the same level as it was with the higher dosage. In January 2024 I was told my symptoms did not meet the SLE diagnosis but they were 'lupus-like' and a new diagnosis given Undifferentiated Connective Tissue disorder. Hearing that I came off the drug because as far as I was concerned I was benefiting from taking it although it is the drug given for UCTD. My biggest fear was SLE progressing to involve organs. The professor at the hospital suggests I continue to take it because it helps with fatigue I don't know how true this is but I do suffer badly with exertion, literally I could sit where I stand be that at the supermarket, train station, etc. I have had people come up to me in public to check if I am okay. So I am in a bit of a dilemma myself, exhaustion verses nausea. 😔
Hi, exactly the same thing happened to me. Started with an SLE diagnosis and was prescribed hydroxy then some years later was told it was UCTD, for which I am also prescribed hydroxy. Ironically I do get major organ involvement (my liver) and I do now need steroids when I get a flare up. This is definitely one of the most confusing conditions! I tend to take the hydroxy for about 9 months after each flare and the rest of the time I just sleep a lot!!
Hi, its good to hear there are others who share my story. I'm sorry to hear that you now have organ involvement. You never quite know what way it will go with autoimmune conditions. I have had two separate courses of prednisolone, which greatly reduces joint pain and persistent exhaustion. The hospital and my GP are reluctant to prescribe for anything longer that 2-3 weeks because of the associated risk the . Interesting, that you take hydroxychloroquine the way you do as everyone advises it takes a while to kick in and to feel the benefits, its something to think about. Thanks for sharing.
I also changed to Zentiva brand and it has been fine in that I no longer have stomach issue.
But it does affect my sense of balance and I sometimes have brain fog which is why I take it in the early evening as I have to take magnesium an hour before bed. I only recently learned that Hydroxy and Magnesium interfere with one another...after taking it for ten years.😵
Do try Zentiva brand first. But if it continues to cause, I think you could ask your doctor to find another medication. Take care.
Hi, I've been taking hydroxy on and off for the last 12 years and have never had any issues with it. It does however suppress my appetite a bit but that's no bad thing! I started out on Plaquenil but don't seem to be able to get it here any more so was switched to Blackrock which has been fine. Everything you read swears there's no difference between brands of hydroxychloroquine but I do think a lot of people find that's not the case so you could try switching brands. Otherwise definitely experiment with taking it before bed so any nausea happens while you're asleep. Hope you solve this issue xx
I will try that, but find I tend to eat breakfast more regularly than dinner, if I had a large lunch I generally skip dinner.
it could be the way you take it - definitely after food and night time would help. Could be the manufacturer changed even the coating on tablet. Has chemist given you a different brand ? We are all so different. Tell your Dr and push for some help maybe change to Zentiva which is easier on a lot of patients. Good luck
Hydroxychloroquine - Plaquenil Alternative
Plaquenil 
Hydroxychloroquine 
Why oh why did u stop taking plaquenil
