Is Plaquenil a steroid?
Plaquenil isn’t an immunosuppressant, steroid, or blood thinner. But Plaquenil is considered a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Immunosuppressants are a group of drugs that lessen the activity of your immune system.
Does Plaquenil cause weight gain or weight loss?
Some people taking Plaquenil may experience weight gain from fluid retention, but weight gain is generally not a common side effect of Plaquenil. Severe weight changes requiring medical attention would include evidence of rapid weight loss or gain, which is the loss or gain of 10 or more pounds in one month.
Is Plaquenil used for pain?
Plaquenil has been used as an “off-label” treatment — meaning it’s approved for uses other than to treat osteoarthritic hand pain — but there’s been little evidence about its effectiveness.
What autoimmune diseases are treated with Plaquenil?
Today, it is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, some symptoms of lupus, childhood arthritis (or juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and other autoimmune diseases. It is not clear why hydroxychloroquine is effective at treating autoimmune diseases.
What are the most common side effects of Plaquenil?
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Does hydroxychloroquine get rid of inflammation?
Hydroxychloroquine is used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and also to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus (lupus; SLE).
Does Plaquenil make your hair fall out?
Hair loss. Some people may have hair loss while taking Plaquenil. But it’s not known how often this side effect occurs. Hair loss can also be a symptom of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which Plaquenil is prescribed to treat.
Does Plaquenil help arthritis?
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is considered a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It can decrease the pain and swelling of arthritis. It may prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long-term disability. Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of medications that was first used to prevent and treat malaria.
Does Plaquenil help with joint stiffness?
Hydroxychloroquine is used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and also to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus (lupus; SLE). A common brand name for hydroxychloroquine is Plaquenil®.
Does Plaquenil make you lose your hair?
What medications should not be taken with Plaquenil?
Some products that may interact with this drug are: penicillamine, remdesivir. Many drugs besides hydroxychloroquine may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). Some examples are amiodarone, azithromycin, disopyramide, dronedarone, pimozide, quinidine, among others.
What is the correct way to discontinue use of Plaquenil?
What is the correct way to discontinue use of plaquenil? Plaquenil is a 6-weeker as far as the benefits are concerned, Long Term : Apr 25, These withdrawals are not thought to bias the compar- isons made, eHealthMe is able to enable everyone to run personal clinical
How safe is Plaquenil?
Plaquenil is considered to be pretty safe, but it can rarely damage the eyes. Patients that take Plaquenil should have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year to make sure the medication isn’t affecting the retina at the back of each eye. Science. How Plaquenil Works.
Should I Be Scared to take Plaquenil?
Stop taking Plaquenil and call your doctor at once if you have blurred vision, trouble focusing, distorted vision, blind spots, trouble reading, changes in your color vision, increased sensitivity to light. Before taking this medicine. You should not use Plaquenil if you are allergic to hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine.
What conditions does Plaquenil treat?
malaria caused by the protozoa Plasmodium falciparum