No, Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) does not typically cause anxiety as a side effect. Plaquenil is a medication used to treat various conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain skin disorders.
While side effects from Plaquenil may vary, the drug does not commonly cause anxiety. According to the prescribing information for Plaquenil, psychiatric reactions have been reported in patients taking the drug, but these reactions are quite rare.
The incidence of psychiatric reactions or changes in behavior in patients taking Plaquenil is estimated to be less than 0. 1%.
If you develop any psychiatric or behavioral changes while taking Plaquenil, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor so that they can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Additionally, if you are already taking an antidepressant or antianxiety medication, your doctor may need to reevaluate your treatment plan if you develop any reactions while taking Plaquenil.
Can hydroxychloroquine cause depression and anxiety?
Yes, hydroxychloroquine can cause depression and anxiety. This is because it affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is responsible for regulating mood and other aspects of emotional wellbeing.
In some cases, depression and anxiety can be early signs of hydroxychloroquine toxicity, which can occur with long-term usage, and so it is important to mention these symptoms to a healthcare provider if they develop.
Depression and anxiety can also be experienced as side effects of taking hydroxychloroquine, particularly if it is taken in high doses or if the drug interacts with other medications the patient is taking.
In these instances, patients should speak to their doctor to find a way to treat the symptoms or adjust the dosage.
What is the downside of taking hydroxychloroquine?
Taking hydroxychloroquine can have some significant downsides. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, mental confusion, and muscle weakness.
People with psoriasis, porphyria, and liver, kidney, or heart problems should not take hydroxychloroquine. Additionally, long-term use of hydroxychloroquine has been linked to retinal toxicity in some people, causing permanent vision loss.
This risk increases with age, so anyone over the age of 65 should be monitored closely while taking hydroxychloroquine. People with a history of alcoholism are also at higher risk of developing retinal toxicity.
Lastly, hydroxychloroquine can interact negatively with other medications, such as diuretics, antibiotics, or cancer drugs, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re taking any other medications.
What autoimmune diseases use hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug that is also used in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The drug works by decreasing swelling and suppressing the immune system, reducing symptoms of these autoimmune conditions.
Hydroxychloroquine can also be used to treat discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, myositis, and vasculitis. It is important to note that hydroxychloroquine is not a cure for any of these autoimmune diseases and its use should be carefully monitored for potentially serious side effects.
Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, loss of appetite, and unusual abdominal pain. In rare cases, hydroxychloroquine can cause more serious side effects, including life-threatening allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.
Therefore, it is important for patients to follow their doctor’s instructions and discuss any side effects with their doctor, to ensure their safety.
How much hydroxychloroquine is toxic?
The toxicity level of hydroxychloroquine depends on the person and the amount taken. As a general rule, taking more than the recommended dosage can lead to serious and potentially fatal side effects.
However, the exact toxic dose range is not clear as hydroxychloroquine is generally well tolerated. Generally, the medication should not be taken in doses higher than 400 mg per day as it can increase the risk of toxicity, including problems such as heart rhythm disturbances, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, corneal deposits, and more.
If taken in too high a dose, hydroxychloroquine levels may build up in the body, leading to toxicity. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommended dosage and to not exceed it, as any increase to the dosage could lead to serious complications.
For those with existing health problems, consulting with a doctor is advisable to ensure that taking hydroxychloroquine is safe and at an appropriate dosage.
Can Plaquenil cause nerve damage?
Yes, Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) can cause nerve damage. Plaquenil is a relatively common medication used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and more. It works by blocking signals from the immune system that can cause inflammation.
However, long-term use of Plaquenil can cause serious neurological problems. Nerve damage has been reported in people taking Plaquenil for anywhere from one to eight years. Symptoms include: numbness, tingling, and burning or pain in the hands and feet.
Loss of balance and coordination, difficulty walking or speaking, blurry or double vision, and depression may also occur. If you experience the signs of nerve damage while taking Plaquenil, contact your doctor right away so that they can assess the situation and make any necessary changes in your treatment plan.
What should I avoid while taking Plaquenil?
It is important to avoid alcohol while taking Plaquenil as it can increase the risk of liver damage. It is also important to have regular blood tests while taking Plaquenil to ensure it is working properly.
Other drugs that should be avoided while taking Plaquenil include, but are not limited to: anti-malarial medications, other drugs which can cause liver or kidney damage, and any drug that may increase the risk of bleeding, including aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Additionally, it is important to not become pregnant or to take Plaquenil if one is pregnant without consulting with their doctor. It is also important to protect the eyes while taking Plaquenil, as it can cause damage to the retina which can be permanent.
If any visual changes or other problems occur, it is important to contact a doctor immediately. Avoiding alcohol, other potentially harmful drugs, and protecting the eyes are all important things to consider while taking Plaquenil.
What are the long-term side effects of Plaquenil?
Plaquenil is generally considered safe for long-term use, but it is important to be aware of potential long-term side effects. The most common potential long-term side effects of Plaquenil are vision changes, disturbances of the distal sensory nerves in the hands and feet, and hearing loss.
Overlong use of Plaquenil is also associated with an increased risk of retinal damage and atrophy, or thinning, of the retinal pigment epithelium layer. It is important to have regular retinal screenings to monitor for any signs of retinal damage.
Other possible side effects of long-term use of Plaquenil include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, rash, and muscle weakness. In rare cases, Plaquenil use has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatitis and severe skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
It is important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects while taking Plaquenil.
How long can you stay on hydroxychloroquine?
The duration of Hydroxychloroquine therapy for the treatment of malaria is generally considered to be two weeks. For patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, longer-term therapy with Hydroxychloroquine is generally recommended.
The usual recommended duration of treatment with Hydroxychloroquine is 3-6 months, typically administered as 400mg per day (as a single dose or divided into two doses taken once daily). Patients may need to stay on Hydroxychloroquine longer, depending on their condition and response to the medication.
If a patient is responding well to the treatment but still has active disease, the treatment may need to be continued for months or even longer. For example, if a patient is successfully treated for systemic lupus erythematosus with Hydroxychloroquine but flares up again, the patient may need to stay on Hydroxychloroquine for a longer period of time until the symptoms are again under control.
Is Plaquenil a high risk medication?
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is not generally considered to be a high-risk medication; however, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Plaquenil can cause serious side effects such as liver damage, vision problems, cardiac issues and blood disorders.
It can also interact with other medications and supplements, which could lead to further health complications. Additionally, Plaquenil may cause a decrease in blood sugar, changes in appetite, upset stomach and weight loss, so regular monitoring of your blood sugar and weight is recommended.
Overall, while Plaquenil is generally considered to be a safe medication and effective in treating some chronic conditions, it is important to speak to your doctor before starting any new medications to ensure you understand the risks involved.
Is it better to take Plaquenil in the morning or night?
It is generally recommended to take Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) in the evening, because this is when the drug reaches peak levels in the blood, which helps to reduce side effects like nausea. However, if nausea or any other side effects occur, your healthcare provider may suggest you take the drug in the morning.
In general, the best time to take Plaquenil is after meals to reduce the risk of potential digestive side effects. Additionally, it is important to take Plaquenil at the same time every day, regardless of when you take it.
Adherence to a regular dosing schedule is critical for optimal effectiveness, so if you are unable to take it in the evening, remember to take it at the same time every morning. Lastly, talk to your healthcare provider for more detailed and specific advice about when is the best time for you to take Plaquenil.
