Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had
people who already have kidney or liver disease
See more While side effects of corticosteroids are usually to blame, there is also the possibility of ocular damage associated with long-term use of the antimalarial drugs hydroxychloroquine (brand name: Plaquenil®) and
Plaquenil, widely used to treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory and dermatologic conditions, is very effective, and “the risk of toxicity in the first five years for
Your doctor has prescribed hydroxychloroquine (also called Plaquenil®) to help manage your condition
redness or other discoloration of the skin
Mild side effects of Plaquenil that have been
What happens if retinal damage is found? If your ophthalmologist finds
Abstract
Other side effects, such as heart failure and liver failure, are long-term conditions
Taking hydroxychloroquine long-term or at high doses may cause irreversible damage to the retina of your eye
What are the side effects of Plaquenil? The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, skin rash or black spots when you look at things
I got retinal toxicity because I, a) took plaquenil for 11 years and it’s the kind of drug that builds up in your system over time, and b) I was on another antimalarial for the last three years so I was getting a very high dose of the meds
If you get a new prescription or even start a new OTC medication, be aware of anything that causes pain to the eyes or distorted or blurred vision
I rarely need Evixac now
Sulfa-containing drugs such as topiramate (Topamax) for seizures/migraine The incidence of Plaquenil related macular problems increases when approaching a dose of 600 to 700 mg
Retina related complications have been reported at this dosage level too
This medicine should be taken with food or milk
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache may occur
Computer/digital eye strain
Common side effects may include: This is not Don’t worry; Plaquenil toxicity doesn’t happen so suddenly
My only pain now is osteoarthritis in my knees and back, and I exercise and take occasional anti-inflammatories for that