Hyhydrochlorquine

[Alice70]

Hi all ,I'm having a real bad time with my stomache ,I have taken all sorts of stomace tabs that does not help ,I've been taking hydroxychloroquine for four months now ,I'm beginning to wonder if it is this med that is making my stomach so badly upset ,wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

[bpeal1]

Definitely worth mentioning it to your rheumatology team. Hydroxychloroquine gave me really bad stomach cramps.

[Lizard28]

I had to build up very slowly at the beginning starting with one every second day taking it after food, as it made me quite nauseas. I persevered and it eventually worked. Took me a while to get to 400mg a day and prob took longer to get into my system to start working. I’ve been on it for years now.

[AgedCrone]

If you can’t speak to your rheumy team…do ask your GP or failing that ask your pharmacist……they are very well versed in side effects of drugs.

[RainbowLeopard]

My tummy reacted badly to it too, as soon as I started taking it. I had to come off and start taking IBS medicines to settle my tummy then re-start the hydroxychloroquine slowly building up to the full dose. My rheumatology nurse helped with the hydroxychloroquine dose and GP prescribed the medication to help my tummy. It did all settle down and I was able to come off the IBS meds and am taking the full dose of hydroxychloroquine. Tummy troubles are horrible to live with, I hope it settles down.

[kt11]

Hi Alice, I'm sorry that you are going through this. It sounds like you are taking Quinoric or versions of Quinoric.

The version of Hydroxy which doesn't cause stomach upset is Zentiva or possibly Blackrock.as they have different fillers. They are slightly more expensive and there problems with wholesalers not ordering them because they don't make as much profit.

I can't take the generic ones as they knock me flat and I have to lie down all day.

We are being fobbed off with generic medicine that makes us ill when for a couple of pounds extra we could be treated properly.

Wishing you lots better x

[happytulip in reply to kt11]

This is absolutely true. Some people can only tolerate Zentevia and others can only tolerate Quinoric. It's a bit of a lottery. I'm on Quinoric and have no trouble but Zentevia really upset me.

Unfortunately there is a supply issue with Zentevia national wife at the moment. If you look on the Lupus UK community on HU you can see how people react differently and how the supply problem is trying to be resolved.

[ABwn]

I found that the lactose acid in hydroxychlorequine upset my stomach. Now take tablets that contain an enzyme to break down the lactose acid.

[LinaM]

yes … I couldn’t take it … was on the toilet for ages every day with it 😩

[MayDaisy]

I too had to stop this drug due to stomach problems.

[Alice70 in reply to MayDaisy]

Managed to find reply button ,as my stomach is so bad I'm impatient for it to go ,I didn't take any yesterday Friday and I haven't taken it to day ,do you remember how long it took for your stomache to settle down ,I managed to speak to Rheaumatiod nurse yesterday she advise to stop it ,I see consultant on the 30th ,just wondering when will my stomache settle down ,I've been taking it 4 months and didn't realise it could be effects of hydroxy

[Kati66]

This is very interesting to hear as my IBS keeps flaring since I’ve been on this, about six weeks ago. I thought it was stress but it makes me really poorly. I get awful cramps when I have IBS so it’s not just going to the toilet a lot. Will mention to the nurse. Xxx

[katieoxo60]

Hello Alice 70, some sound advice on here. Looks like you will need to discuss with your prescriber as this drugs known side effects are to cause stomach upsets. However sounds like if you can drink milk with it it helps. I guess you are taking with food so the next step is to seek help and maybe change the tablet or dosage. Good luck and hopefully you will be feeling much better soon.

[FLS1]

Hi. I have not had any stomach problems with this. I am super careful to always take it with food - not sure if that helps. Hope you get it sorted soon

[MayDaisy]

Hi Alice. I had to stop taking this medication as it caused me so much stomach upset. I am already on Benepali and so the nurse via a phone call said it was ok for me to stop. I do hope you get some helpful advice from the nurse.

[Rainyda]

Hi, I take it with food, been on it for some time, and have had no problems with it. Hope your tummy will adjust to it.