Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anyone on plaquenil who could tell me how well tolerated the drug is and what kind of side effects if any they have experienced. How long on treatment and how helpful they have found it to be?? New RA patient and just about to start treatment and very worried about these drugs.
thanks pat

I have been on plaquenil on and off for 3 years. I have had no negative side effects.

Plaquenil, I believe, is the lowest on the todem pole of RA drugs so I would have no fear with this one.

Hi - I've been on plaquenil for about 10 months and haven't noticed any negative side effects. I take 200 mg/twice a day. Hope this helps!

I've taken Plaquenil for four months now. It has helped - I can walk now and work a full day, but my hands especially still hurt and I have lost much strength in my arms. My doctor says the drug takes up to six months to be fully effective. Has anyone been on it longer? How close to normal did you get?

I took Plaquenel for almost 8 years with no problem - 200 mg. 2x a day for 6 years, and 200 mg. 1x day for the last two. When I went for my eye check up this summer, the dr. found some macular damage and I have since stopped taking it. The lesson learned: DO follow dr's advice to get regular eye check-ups so that if the drug does start affecting your eyes, it's caught early. This is not to warn people off Plaquenel - most people do fine with it - just be aware and don't forget to make time to see the opthamalogist as often as recommended.

I was on placquenil for 17 years. It worked great for me. But recently my Dr retired and just before retiring he switched me to sulfasalazine. My new Doctor took alot of xrays to determine what level of disease I had. I was completely shocked to hear that I had a great deal of damage to my joints and bones and that I had 'advanced disease progression'. She said that placquenil only suppresses symptoms but does not suppress disease progression. The sulfa drug is not working at all and I am now in constant pain and exhausted all the time. So my advice is to ask your physician at least once per year to do xrays and monitor your disease progression and whether or not you need disease management drugs not just symptom management drugs. For 17 years my disease was doing alot of damage and I never knew and was never told or checked. It didn't need to happen. Be careful and be your own strong and fearless advocate!