my rheumatologist has me on hydroxychloroquine 300 once a week, I don’t know if that is a high dosage or what most people take. The other question is, I noticed a very small amount of blood shot eye, not certain if that is a side effect or caused by something else.
Thanks
That seems like an low dose to me, I started on 200mg twice a day and it was reduced to 200mg once a day once I was in remission, following the addition of other meds.
I've just looked it up and once a week is normally the dose for malaria prevention. This is the website I looked at:
thanks, I still feel stiff and achy, but I’ve been living with that for a few years now, Dr started me in 400 a day for one month and then reduced to one a week and wants to see how I’m doing 3 months as takes time for the body to adjust
Did the doctor say why the dose had been so drastically reduced after such a short period? I was told the original dose of 400 a day would take about six weeks to have any effect and about three months to take full effect. I stayed on 400 a day for several years.
Like you, I feel the OP’s dose seems odd. The BNF, which is the prescribing guide used by doctors here in the UK, states a normal dose of 200-400mg taken daily for arthritis. Versusarthritis says the dose may be reduced to 2 or 3 times a week once a person is in remission.
With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. I would definitely query this with your doctor: my understanding is that hydroxy is usually taken daily for arthritis.
what a weird treatment plan!!
I was on 400mg a day for 8 years (until I changed drugs). I remember I was told it would take at least 3 months to have full effect!
It is a rheumatologist who prescribed this, not just a general doctor?
thankyou all for your informative replies. Yes, this was my rhuematologist, which took me almost 2 yrs to get into see one and she told me she was being very aggressive with the treatment to get it into remission. I am going to print up as much info as I can before our next meeting which is not until April now. thanks again
aggressive! That’s about as aggressive as a stuffed toy, unless your symptoms were so borderline that it was a judgement call to give you any treatment at all!
However keep a diary of your symptoms, and make sure you tell it exactly as it is at your next appointment. Maybe the short burst of drugs will kick you into remission and you’ll stay there. Fingers crossed!
I'd contact them this week and query itI too was on same regime as others at the start.
thankyou, i shall keep a journal on my symptoms, excellent idea....may try for an appt with my own GP to get her feelings on the medications. tks again
The BNF states 200-400mg daily, with a max dose of 6.5mg per kg body weight. It does seem strange to reduce so early. I would contact them and query it, especially if you still have symptoms. At least then at your April review things should have improved.
I was on 400mg daily. My rheumy said they usually keep patients on that for 5 years before reducing. I now take 200/400mg alternate days because the eye specialist flagged up that I was on too high a dose for my weight.
I take 400 each day!! xx
Hi I'm on 400mg per day for past 7 year and now alongside Sulfasalazine and Methotrexate. Sound like a mistake tbh. I would query such a low dose unless you have trouble with your sight? Good luck !
in 400 a day, do you have any symptoms, aches, swelling etc.
I was started on 400mg when I was first dagnosed 20mths ago & I.m still on the same dose now along with 5mg prednislone daily. I do get aches & swellings in various places sometimes but nothing like before I was diagnosed. Like others mentioned think you should query such a low dose. Good luck.
I take 200mg daily, I was on 400/200 mg alternate days but as I don’t weigh very much they reduced it. I have just started taking Rinvoq 🤞that it works. Xx
Another strange question, can RA affect the skin?
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