Anyone get a rash on Hydroxychlorine?

[jackswife]

I started Hydroxychloroquine a month ago (just diagnosed with RA). Two days ago a rash erupted on my arms. Raised 'welt' like red things, covering most of each arm. Didn't itch initially but beginning to mildly itch now. I emailed my rheumatologist who said "if it's the only new med you're on, stop it for two weeks to see if it clears up". Well, as you all well know, these drugs take a long time to kick in, so I'd be starting over in two weeks! She asked no questions. I called my primary care doctor who asked a lot of questions including if I've been in the sun. (I walked a mile with my granddaughter but was in intermittent sun only). I am going in to see my primary care this morning.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? If it is the hydroxy, wouldn't it have showed up sooner? I'm still new to RA, so any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Mmrr]

I developed small red patches of dry flakey skin after a few weeks on HDQ. My rheumatologist stopped it and changed me to sulphasalazine.

[jackswife in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you, Mmrr. Did your rheumy wait a couple of weeks after stopping Hydroxy or just switch you over?

[Mmrr in reply to jackswife]

She stopped HDQ immediately and started sulphasalazine the following week.

[jackswife in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks, Mmrr.

[KittyJ]

Sun is a known cause of rashes with hydoxy, cover up and high factor sun cream if you’re outside was what I was told.

Skin reactions with hydroxychloroquine screenshot

[jackswife in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you, KittyJ. Wish my doc had told me. The label says avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which I did. Stopping hydroxychloroquine today!

[Gnarli]

On hydroxy I developed a rash, told the rheumy team and they advised that I stop it. We all react differently to our meds so yours could have been exposure to sun.

[MW07]

Hi, yes, Hydroxy constantly gave me itchy skin (no welts, though) and I had to stop it.

[seabreezegirl]

Call and ask a pharmacist medications are their specialty. Ask about side effects and rashes .

[SLCR]

I took HDQ for one year. I started having skin issues within the first 1-2 months, red rash areas on arm’s and lower legs. I just kept taking it as it seemed mild. It was slightly itchy but not severe, I never scratched at it. I was convinced HDQ was my wonder drug, so push on since it was mild and just nuisance. Well my skin just got weird. It kind of burned and tingled and looked slightly red. After I would get out of a shower I was red at my chest upper arms and lower legs. It burned and tingled. Finally after one year I stopped the med, in 8 weeks my skin has returned to 100% normal. My skin was just weird on HDQ and I can’t try it again as it drove me crazy!

[jackswife]

Thank you all for your help. I've stopped the hydroxy and now am waiting for my skin to improve. Then we'll see what's next. I appreciate your input.