effects of chloroquine on the eye

[thereseagacy]

Hi folks,
I'm new to the forum. A friend of mine has taken chloroquine for lupus and has had adverse side effects to her vision. I was wondering if anyone else had had similar problems with this drug.

[Clare.T]

I am sorry about your friend
Chloroquine ( Aralen) isn't used so much these days in the west because hydroxychloroquine has replaced it as having less risk of eye toxicity.

My doctor told me that its bad reputation arose from when it was used in much higher doses than it is nowadays. The usual dose these days is not more than 250mgs a day

I have taken it for 2 or 3 years without problem at twice the normal dose but I have eye tests every 3/4 months because I have been on either drug for many years now

A base line eye test should be done with checks at regular intervals for signs of damage occuring before the sight is affected as with Plaquenil but it's said that the eye damage from Aralen is irreversible.

Most expert doctors in USA insist on eye tests before repeating prescriptions for Plaquenil despite the extremely low risk and I would imagine this is even more the case for Aralen because doctors do not want to be sued.

You can check out precise recommendations for Aralen on-line using google, both manufacturers recommendations and prescribing practices as well as ophthalmological sites.

Best wishes

Clare