Plaquenil - when to take it: I am starting Plaquenil... - NRAS

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Plaquenil - when to take it

Someonesmother profile image
31 Replies

I am starting Plaquenil tomorrow and all it says is take two tablets daily. Call me a nong but I have a vague recollection the rheumy said take two in the morning with food. But after reading heaps of others experience it seems a lot of people spread the dose over the day so as not to get nauseated. I would prefer to take them at night so I sleep through any reactions I may have but now I don't know what to do. I am totally confused!!!! Help!

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Someonesmother
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31 Replies
helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

We're not supposed to give each other medical advice, so you should really check with your own GP. (But I take one in the morning and one at night.....). Pollyx

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother

Thanks for that Polly. I didn't phrase my question properly I think as I wasn't after medical advice it was more about peoples experiences with how they took it I was after, and trying to reduce the side effects. I have just had to come off lyrica after 3 weeks because of side effects. I have been researching and it seems that most take one in the morning and one at night. I wonder if my rheumy said take two in the morning because of my reflux- aghhh I hate my brain not remembering stuff.

I've been on this drug for a year now and my instruction were to take one in the morning and one in the evening.Apart from slight headache after taking them at first I have had no side effects at all.

Carolyn

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to

Thanks Carolyn I am hoping no side effects!

dtech profile image
dtech

I've been on it for 3 years and take my tabs at night after dinner. Never had problems luckily.

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to dtech

Thanks Dtech I think I am going to try both ways and see what works best for me

Barrister profile image
Barrister

I took one in the morning and one in the evening and didn't suffer any side effects such as nausea which I was fully expecting. Clemmie

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Barrister

Thanks Clemmie

Scottishlad profile image
Scottishlad

When I was on hydroxychloroquine I took it morning and night and did not get side effects. Hope you get on well with it also.

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Scottishlad

Thanks Scottishlad, I hope so too

Dotty7 profile image
Dotty7

Mine is prescribed as 200mg twice a day, also the rheumatologist was very specific that I should take it with food. It takes a long time to make a difference - months - but it has reduced some swelling in my hand and has helped with the fatigue.

Dotty x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Dotty7

Thanks Dotty yes mine told me to take them with food too and also that they take a long time to work but lable just says take two daily no specifics

Philip profile image
Philip

What's a nong? Lol

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Philip

hahah a nong is an idiot but not as harsh

Riedenise profile image
Riedenise

I too take one in the morning & one at night, also with food. I hope this helps. rie x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Riedenise

Thanks Riedenise I am going to try that as many have suggested this minimises side effects

Caza profile image
Caza in reply to Someonesmother

Hi, I've been taking it for a year now. I take 1 in the morning & 1 at night always with food. I was told to get an eye test before starting them & then every six-12 months. The only side effects I've had is a slight rash after 4 wks which lasted for about 48hrs & I've also become a bit sensitive to the sun so I try to stay in the shade & use sun cream hope this helps x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to Caza

Thanks Caza I decided to try the twice a day dosage with food to try and alleviate side effects, but after starting this morning I have had diarrhea all day, I hope it goes away soon. I wasn't told anything about eye tests but have been reading about this.

marmaduke profile image
marmaduke

Hi - late answering I know, but I haven't been on over the weekend. I started off with two a day, but they did cause quite bad nausea with me and eventually the rheumy said I could knock it down to one a day. I still get nauseous but bearable, however, after much trial and error, I have found it is definitely best for me if I take it HALF WAY THROUGH my evening meal not after it, with a glass of water - that actually makes a big difference to me. xx

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to marmaduke

Thanks for that and I agree, I have taken one morning in middle of breakfast and then mid meal in the evening but I am getting diarrhea and feel really nauseous. battled not to throw up at work today so I guess it may take my body a while to settle in to it and hope those side effects subside. I don't think I would take it after a meal as I think I would have more trouble as I have a dodgy stomach as it is and reflux. fish oil makes me feel sick so I guess I am just going to have to suck it up and put up with it. YUK!!!

marmaduke profile image
marmaduke

I did get diarrhoea as well when I was on two a day, but that has improved considerably dropping down to one. I also get acid reflux - diagnosed with hiatus hernia years ago but controlled that with Gaviscon and hadn't had any problems for years until now!! Hey-ho. Something else that has arisen lately, which seems to be tied up with the nausea and reflux - I've developed a complete aversion to some chemical smells, especially in anything antibacterial - soaps, hand gels etc. I can't stand them now, the smell sticks in my throat and makes me feel soooo sick. I especially cannot use the alcohol wipes with my mtx injections anymore. xx

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to marmaduke

hahah oh so like me. I have an aversion to many smells. Petrol has always triggered migraines in me makes it hard when I fill the car, but so many other things such as perfumes, permanent markers, foods, cleaners and on and on. Yes I have a hiatus hernia too and take somac but this stuff makes reflux worse I must say but hey if it will work eventually I will be happy

I take my 2 in the eve after my tea, if I'm not working. I tried different times due to stomach churning all day if I take earlier! If I am working, 2 days per week I take a lot later with some food, crackers or something light. Then what happens happens overnight!! If you get my drift ;-)

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to

Thanks Sue for your input. I seem to be better if I take them morning and night so far, as I work fulltime I don't think I could cope being up all night with reflux. so far doing it that way I have managed to sort of keep it under control and get a few hours sleep.

in reply to Someonesmother

Thats ok, as peeps have said, we're all different. And mine was trial and error, no one actually told me how to take them ;-)

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to

me either which is why i sought help as I had no idea and no written instructions. I wonder sometimes about the medical profession no wonder there are so many medication mishaps!

in reply to Someonesmother

Hmmm!! I have to agree!! Theres a lot of good advice on here though x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to

Yes there is thank heavens for that!

JEM95 profile image
JEM95

Hi,

I have been taking them for about four months. I take one in the morning and one at night. I find if I don't eat something when I take them, I have a tummy upset - not nice all through the night, or indeed at work!

I think it is down to trial and error - what suits me may not suit someone else.

Jem

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply to JEM95

Hi Jem yes I have been eating when I take them or I know i will have stomach problems too

Koontz5alive profile image
Koontz5alive

I use to take my 1 1/2 pill in the morning and I was sick most of day , upset stomach , running to restroom .... then I switched to bedtime and I feel sooo much better ! 10 pm no more sick belly !

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