LymeNet Flash: What is Plaquenil...exactly?

This is topic What is Plaquenil...exactly? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :

I have read different things...what is Plaquenil, exactly...an anti-malarial, I know...but... is it also an anti-parasitic and/or an antibiotic?

Posted by EyeBob (Member # 12572) on :

Count it as an "anti-infective." It's a better way to describe it's action. It's also postulated to affect the inflammatory process which is probably why it's beneficial for RA, SLE and others. In Lyme, my understanding is that it augments the environment in cells that Bb may be hiding. It either makes the environment less inviting for them and/or facilitates the clarithromycin (Biaxin) to work better against the Bb.

Below are two links to look at if you're really interested or obsessed or bored..or all 3.

http://www.rxlist.com/plaquenil-drug.htm

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaquenil

Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :

What eyeBob said plus

its a "quinine" drug. So its in the same drug class as Larium and other anti malarials.

IT supposed to help raise the pH inside your cells, which helps some abx penetrate better (lyme thrives in and creates a low pH environemnt)

Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :

Thanks EyeBob and Amanda. And...EyeBob...I am all three! [Smile]

Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :

My doc said they stopped using plaquenil because they didn't notice it worked any better for their patients than NOT using it

Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :

Plaquenil is in the quinolone family.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1229016-overview

Levaquin is a quinolone family drug.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinolone

Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :

Hmm, that's interesting, St. Olaf. I felt like plaquenil took me to a different level. I feel better on it than off it.

I told my LLMD I love it and please, keep me on it.

- Lymelady

Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :

I like plaquenil too. I also have psoriatic arthritis and it helps with that, but mainly it helps my brain function.

I have really bad cog fog when I'm off it, for one reason or another.

Posted by rks (Member # 24316) on :

I was told that it's suppose to help with pain as well as babesia.

Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :

Plaquenil supposedly raises the PH of the cells and makes the BIaxin / Zith work better.