Rash from Plaquinil

[Sissy]

Hi all, Have been on Plaquinil for three years now and seem to think that the "Plaq" may be making my skin worse. Anyone ever had this problem? Also taking Metho and Predisone.

[nonscents2]

Hi Sissy,

I have mentioned this numerous times over the last few months, but have had no response so I'll respond to your post. Yes, I do believe that Plaquenil makes my vaculities/lupus rashes worse. I really don't know where one rash ends and the other begins but I find either/both rashes get worse the more Plaquenil I take. I've menionted it to my doctor but she just shrugs and says she doesn't think it's related, but I've learned over the years the doctors know so little about our problems. I recently cut back to 200mg/day instead of 400, to see if the rashes improve, but unfortunately it's always worse in the summer 'cus of the heat and sun.

I do believe the Plaquenil is important to keep other awful things in check so I'll still take it half strength and try to deal with the rashes ( which are constant and severe) in other ways; stay out of the sun, swim in cool water, keep my legs up when sitting and trying not to stand still for more than a few minutes.

But I have to add that I've been on Plaquenil for two years and my rashes have been so much worse during these two years - related to Plaquenil or just a coincidence????????

My mind is very open on this subject and would love to hear from others with similar problems.

Hope your rash improves, Sissy,

Margie

[alobreto]

Hi, Sissy! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
Good question. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Anytime you come in contact with any substance there is ALWAYS the possibility of some kind of reaction. And with lupus our immune systems are just plain haywire and overreact to even our own bodies.

You say that you're taking prednisone, and that is notorious for causing skin changes, particularly with higher doses and/or long term therapy.

Both of those things said, those two drugs are mainstays of treatment to keep other organ damage to a minimum.

While it's awful to have problems with the skin, especially since it's so visible to others, it can be far worse to have problems with your liver, kidneys, brain, and so forth as a result of cutting the dose without the approval and/or knowledge of the prescriber. And as you may know, stopping corticosteroids like prednisone suddenly can have serious (sometimes even fatal) consequences.

If you think YOUR rash is related to your meds, the wisest thing to do is to bring it up to your rheumatologist. You might even want to get a dermatology referral as a second opinion. It never hurts to ask questions and seek appropriate answers especially where health is concerned.
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif