Plaquenil and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I began taking Plaquenil 6 weeks ago and I am pleased with it. I'm now seeing the benefits and my rheumatologist says that I should continue to get even better over the next 3 months. Honestly, I'm okay with where I'm already at. The biggest surprise is that I'm receiving benefits that I didn't get from 20mg/day of prednisone! The hardest part was when I first began Plaquenil. You initially experience side effects without any benefit, but you just have to hang in there. The side effects start to improve significantly after 2 weeks. My side effects were nausea, loose stools, vomiting, and temporary changes in vision (full eye exam confirmed that everything is fine.) I would highly recommend this medicine!"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed a month ago with rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor started me on Plaquenil 2 weeks ago. 300 mg 2x a day. I had to stop taking it after a week because it upset my stomach, causing vomiting, nausea, and extreme diarrhea. My doctor tried lowering my dose to 150 mg 1x a day to no avail. I'm hoping that she can put me on something that will work better as I have been in extreme pain for over a year. I am 30 years old."

• ith...
• September 9, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 63-year-old female who was diagnosed with RA after instigating a blood test for it out of desperation 3 weeks ago. My debilitating chronic pain in feet and random knee flare-ups has a name. My rheumatologist put me on prednisolone (reduced doses over 3 months) until the methotrexate starts working (once a week of 15mg for 2 weeks, 20mg once a week indefinitely). Plaquenil 300mg daily. I also take Vitamin D daily, 5mg folic acid once a week, plus curcumin and fish oil. I have been taking it all with breakfast for the last 8 days. I have had stomach cramps but no diarrhea. The prednisolone has been magic for pain-free sleep and movement. I will see in 2 months' time with only the latter 2. Trying to stay positive with yoga and strength exercises. Drugs, vitamins, anti-inflammatory supplements, eye tests, and blood tests, and maybe a nice wig are now part of my new reality."

• Sjo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2013

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I have been on Ranbaxy generic Plaquenil for 11 months now. I don't think it helps me very much, but I continue to take it because I am not experiencing any side effects. My condition is not well-controlled with this drug alone, and I will soon start an additional DMARD after recently finding out I am intolerant of MTX. My battle with Sjogren's has been so much more than glandular issues. It has attacked my biliary system, causing me to lose my gall bladder and have complex issues with the pyloric valve, lower esophageal sphincter, and sphincter of oddi. This causes a variety of symptoms such as bile and acid reflux, bile salt diarrhea, nausea, vomiting up bile, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. I have signs of kidney disease too."

• lus...
• September 25, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in February 2012. Plaquenil has been the second medication we've tried. I've only taken it for 1 week and have a horrible rash on both arms and on the backs of my legs. It has caused diarrhea and headaches. I have stopped taking this medication and am currently waiting to see what medication we will try next."

• mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2013

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I just started this medicine a few weeks ago. My rheumatologist told me that it could take up to 12 weeks to work. I have had stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and worsening of symptoms in my joints. I am not going to give up on this. I don't really want to rate it because I have not been on it long enough. I wanted to comment so that others could possibly get some encouragement to hang in there if possible."

• Geo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA just recently in 2019 when I was 32. It started with fingers and toes, then tender hotspots on arms and legs, and upper back pain involvement a month after. I took Plaquenil with full adherence of 300 mg/d dosage, hence a positive effect on fingers and toes and body tenders hit in only on month 6, however, it did not help me with upper back pain at all. AS was ruled out with HLA-B27(-), movement capacity, and clean spine MRI though. The side effects: skin rash (persisted during the first 3 months), stomach pain (a few times), diarrhea (persisted during the first 3 months, now occasionally), and muscle twitches (intensive first month, then milder, and I ignore them, maybe not due to HCQ). Nevertheless, I'm going to visit my rheumatologist in coming weeks to discuss my never relieved morning upper back pain."