Hydroxychloroquine and Rash: What Users Say

• Mot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2019

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA after a knee arthroscopy seemed to set it off in 2017. I had pains in both knees, left wrist, hips, groin area & jaw so my Rheumatologist prescribed Hydroxychloroquine. After only 10 days, I developed a terrible lumpy rash on my legs which was hot & itchy. It spread quickly to my abdomen, bottom arms & back, then I got a sore throat & swollen top lip! I stopped the tablets on the 12th day but the rash still spread. My GP put me on Steroids & Antihistamines. Hopefully this will stop the rash. It's amazing they tell you it can take 3 months for hydroxychloroquine to be effective (but only 10 days to cause side effects!)"

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2019

Hydroxychloroquine for Sjogren's Syndrome "I’ve been on Plaquenil 400 mg once a day for 6 months now due to Sjögren's. If you are wondering how long Plaquenil takes to work, it took about 3 months before I started feeling better. Now at 6 months, I’m noticing more symptoms. I have a rash on my arms, and my face feels like it’s burning, but I don’t have a sunburn or anything. I’ve also noticed my eyebrows look like I have bleached them."

• lus...
• September 25, 2012

Hydroxychloroquine 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."

• Nin...
• May 27, 2013

For Sjogren's Syndrome "Been on it for 6 weeks. I hate taking medicines, but I've noticed huge differences. Cautiously optimistic. Apparently need to take it for 6 months to see full benefits. No sun sensitivity, rash on chest smaller, dry eyes minimal, vaginal dryness gone, ear dryness gone, nasal dryness and sinus dryness gone. Never been so happy to have snot. Sinus pain gone. Joint pain still significant, but connective tissue pain minimal, and body stone fatigue reduces by 75 percent. Occasional gastric stuff, but not debilitating like before. I feel human again But can't wait to reduce dose and get off of it."

• Ros...
• July 23, 2014

Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus "This medication worked great for me except for some stomach upset, which I was tolerating because I wanted to stay off Prednisone. However, three weeks into taking the medication, I developed an allergy to it and broke out in hives all over my body. So, I had to discontinue, sadly. Very sorry not to be able to take this medication as it seems the best one for controlling my Lupus with the least side effects."

• che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 13, 2022

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I thought it might be helping, I thought I tolerated it well because my eyes were okay. I was wrong. My heart rate went up a couple of years into taking it. Doctors blamed pain, then fatigue got worse to the point that I lived in my recliner. Then I developed more problems that slowly got worse: dizziness, extreme fatigue to the point that I couldn't concentrate on basic tasks, racing heart and near fainting, uncontrollable sinus infections, daily migraines, and my skin was all messed up with rashes and rosacea. I started dropping weight fast, food went right through me. The heart had problems not caused by the heart, the gut had problems not caused by the gut. Finally, the blood doctor's tests showed hemolytic anemia was bad, I was reacting to the Plaquenil in other ways too. Three months off and I'm near recovered. Watch that stuff!! Eight years, GONE, I was near death with doctors blaming RA and misdiagnosing as other things!"

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2018

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "When first diagnosed 3 yrs ago, my rheumy wanted to try Plaquenil first. He did tell me that some people develop allergies to the drug. Sure enough, three months in, I developed hives all over my body. Had to stop the drug. Now I have Kenalog injections every 5-6 months, which have worked well for me. No side effects, and I am returned to my pre-RA self. Plaquenil is a great treatment for many; just not for me. Every person's physiology is different. My GP has also been researching some older drugs that he thinks were back-burnered due to new biologics. I'm researching as well."

• C W...
• December 9, 2017

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for about 15 years without apparent side effects until this year. But this year, I have developed severe swelling of the face and a red rash on the upper half of my face. This also includes very difficult itching in odd places on my body, my eyebrows and eyelashes, my earlobes, my lower legs and lower arms, my scalp, and of course where the red rash was. This was twice cleared up with heavy doses of antibiotics and cortisone. However, my rheumatologist took me off all arthritis drugs, and we added them back little by little. When Plaquenil was finally included with the other drugs again, it took about three days, and my face started swelling, and the rash and itching. I can only assume that this was the cause of my allergic reaction, even after all the years of use."

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

Hydroxychloroquine 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."

• Lis...
• September 19, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Better than the biologics or methotrexate that caused my lungs to burn up. However, after 7 years of 200 mg b.i.d., I think the time has come to quit this too. I have been experiencing nausea and liver pain for the last few weeks, and just recently, vomiting and hives followed by four hours of dry heaves. My liver (under and just beneath my right rib cage) feels painful and swollen. The biologics are nasty too, and my internist said 10 years is max on them as they are known to cause kidney/liver failure in his experience (42 years as an internist). I am not sure where to go from here. This is an awful disease. Diagnosed at 48. The only thing I know to keep the pain at bay is to get up and move and don't stop until it's time for bed."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I was on this hydroxychloroquine for 6 months and then suddenly developed severe itching (burning-like sensation, worse than any itch I have ever had) and a rash that went from my neck to my feet. It did help slightly with joint pain. The itching was worse than the joint pain, so I stopped taking it and the itch went away slowly."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

Hydroxychloroquine for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I took this medication for only 3 weeks for Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. (Diagnosed 15 years ago, medication-free for the last 11 years). My only active symptom at the time was Raynaud's. I really did not want to take any medication and felt that improving my lifestyle/keeping warm was worth a try, but my (new) rheumatologist pushed it and said he would discharge me if I didn't take it. All my other tests (lung function, heart scan, bloods) were fine. What a mistake. It did not help my Raynaud's but did cause huge hives from my neck to my ankle. My last dose was May 25th, it is now August 9th, and these unsightly hives continue to come and go. With such a long half-life (up to 50 days), it will take over 18 months to fully eliminate it."

• Cov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was prescribed Plaquenil for my RA a few years ago. After 2 weeks on the drug, I developed the 'Plaquenil rash.' It began on my stomach and, with days, consumed my entire body. It was the most painful thing I've experienced. I felt that I was being burned from the inside out. I was put on a prednisone IV, and that had its own issues. My doctor said that I developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome from the allergic reaction. I can't personally imagine ever having to use this drug again."

• pan...
• February 25, 2011

For Lupus "I am taking hydroxychloroquine for lupus. I was on the medicine originally for 4 weeks. Had the mood swings, they leveled out. Then random ear ringing in my left ear. Doctor discontinued, which bummed me out. The rash on my cheek almost vanished, and when I went off the medicine, it came right back along with all the joint and muscle pain. Upon review, the doctor is letting me take half a pill for 3 weeks, then if all is well, boost up to one versus 1 1/2. I don't know the connection to the ears, but the way I felt and looked was worth a little random ring. I am hoping for the best."

• tja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My RA doctor prescribed Plaquenil just over a month ago. I somewhat reluctantly started taking it a week later after researching the side effects. I was to take 200 mg/2x day. I chose to take 200 mg/day instead due to the worst side effect regarding retina damage. In 3 weeks' time, I had noticed a marked improvement in my pain level and was able to start doing things again. Then came the hives, covered most of my body. Stopped taking the drug, and just over a week later, I'm still dealing with the tail end of the hives. They've just about cleared up. Sometimes you have to be your own doctor; I can't imagine what would have happened at 400 mg/day! Time to try the next Rx......"

• Iri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was taking it for about 10 days or so. All pains went away in three days completely. I was very happy. But then, after a week, I got a bad rash on my chest, neck, back, and then face. I called the doctor, and he immediately canceled it. I am very upset because I felt so well under this medication."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been diagnosed with RA. The doctor prescribed hydroxychloroquine, 2 tablets daily, 200 mg. I started with one tablet daily for 2 weeks, then started taking 2, and after 1 day, I developed swollen lips and probably glands, rashes on my hands, feet, and chest. I stopped."

• Lar...
• June 1, 2019

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I was diagnosed with UCTD and put on 300 mg/day of hydroxychloroquine while simultaneously being weaned off prednisone. Seventeen days after starting it, I noticed a rash the size of a quarter on my shoulder. Within a week, the rash was covering almost my entire upper torso and starting to blister and slough off. I was admitted to the burn unit at the local hospital, where I stayed for a week with Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis; I lost over 90% of the skin on my body. To treat the condition, my daily intake of prednisone was boosted to 60 mg/day, which eventually gave me Cushing Syndrome, which I'm still recovering from five months later. So if your rheumatologist prescribes it, just make sure you're aware of the serious potential side effects, because mine is not an isolated case... this drug is a known cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions, and they are life-threatening conditions."

• Lou...
• January 28, 2014

Hydroxychloroquine for Dermatomyositis "I have dermatomyositis. Plaquenil, along with quinicrine, treated my hand lesions, which were very painful. This took about a year to accomplish. It's been about a year and a half now, and I'm starting to react to one or both of the medications. I have a rash all over my body, and ulcers and lichen planus in my mouth. I'm seeing my doctor shortly to see about this."

• RA ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve had ANA positive, speckled, homogenous, and positive RA 14.1 for 10+ years. Everything is a mystery, everything is borderline. So, it’s considered undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Bottom line: everything hurts. And knuckles hurt with swelling that I can no longer wear my rings. When first diagnosed in 2008, I was put on 200 mg of brand name Plaquenil (dosage I believe it’s prescribed by patient's weight-I was 127 lbs at the time), there was no improvement with pain, so we discontinued. New doctor and now positive for scleroderma, but no symptoms. I am now back on HCQ 400 mg, 200 2x a day. I am taking Dr. Reddy manufacturer. I have no rash. Doctor did say some manufacturers give rashes. I would like if people here would disclose what manufacturer their medication is. Some are inferior. I usually like Teva, but that is hard to get. I also take meloxicam every once in a while, huge help, and tramadol every day, which allows me to do my everyday activities. It’s a miracle worker for me."

• tja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started this Rx just over 3 weeks ago, and upon further research of good vs. bad, decided to half my doctor's daily dose to 200 mg/day rather than 400 mg. This proved to be a wise decision as I broke out in a severe case of hives, going on 3 days now. This damn drug worked really well for RA, though, best I've felt in 5 years."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2021

For Lupus "I was put on hydroxychloroquine for my lupus and arthritis. I have pain mostly in my upper back, neck, and shoulders, and left arm, wrist, and hand. I was prescribed to take two 200 mg pills once a day. I took it only twice, and my reaction was beyond terrible. It started off with a rash on my stomach, which later spread to my entire body. Little did I know I would be in for the worst 2 1/2 months of my life. See, with this medication, the half-life is so long that one pill stays in your system for at least 40 days. So this rash was with me for weeks and weeks on end. I had to be put on prednisone for my severe reaction (which caused weight gain and severe permanent stretch marks). The rash made it impossible to shower, I couldn't sleep, my skin was peeling everywhere, and I was hospitalized for anaphylaxis. I cried for hours every day. I wanted to die. Never again! Please get tested for allergies before ever using this medication if you want to be seriously safe. I am scarred for life!"

• Tia...
• August 25, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Was on this for three weeks when I noticed a mild rash. Stopped taking it, but the rash became much worse after 4 days. I had to go to A and E due to other symptoms. Diagnosed with an allergic reaction and prescribed steroids and to continue with antihistamines. Took over a week to settle. This was disappointing as I was beginning to feel better, stiffness and tiredness were reducing. Now waiting to see a consultant to discuss other options."

• crl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Mentioned prior to starting to the doctor concerns about possible side effects causing anxiety and agitation, only to be told that it is rare. Well, a few hours after the first dose, 200 mg, teeth clenching, mouth twitching, and feeling very anxious, then came a red, itchy rash on my abdomen that appeared then vanished. Later in the day, headache, foot tendon pain, then difficulty sleeping. Next day, same thing all over again but worse, with a nervous response to a stressful encounter and a bigger rash. That was it for me. Doctor agreed that I should stop."

• Rwr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started this drug six weeks ago. In week six, my side effects appeared. I had been so hopeful. Thought I was doing well with no side effects. Then they came. Horrible rash, anxiety, mood changes, no sleep, headache, and nausea. I had to stop the medication. I knew of the side effects that could happen, but I figured they would have happened right away. Not so. Now I find out they happen as the slow-acting medicine begins working. Even in week six, it didn’t relieve any of my pain or symptoms. I’m so disappointed I had to stop this medicine. For those who tolerate it and it works for you, I’m so happy you have found something that works. Blessings."