I am about to start on Plaquenil and read about the possible side effects. What scares me is this:
Possible eye toxicity resulting in COLOR BLINDNESS or LOSS OF VISION. (source: Medicinenet)
This is scarey stuff.
Have any of you had this happen?
What has been your experience with this drug?
THANKS.
Posted by Hoops123 (Member # 18333) on :
I tookk Plaquenil for about 6 months with no issues.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Thanks Hoops. I hope that more people will say the same thing.
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
I was on Plaquenil with Biaxin for about 9 months with no problems. If you are concerned see your eye Dr. and get a current eye test for a baseline. Ask the Dr when (if) you should go back for a follow-up exam.
gmb
Posted by Cattail (Member # 24357) on :
I have taken Plaquenil twice, once for 7 months and again for 5 months. I had no negative reactions.
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
ive been on for a yar and a half no problems.
Posted by dyna3495 (Member # 24126) on :
I have been on Plaquinel for 3 years. Eye Doc put me on Occuvite to ensure enough vitamins ect. No problems. Eye exam shows arteries of a person half my age. Made my day ! LOL
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
No problems. But I did go to the eye dr when I had been on plaquenil for 6 mos to get a baseline.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I have taken plaquenil for many months over the past 3 years with no eye problems.
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
I've taken plaquinil for over three years.....no problems. Important to do the recommended eye exams. Good luck!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
My eyes gradually became more "irritable" on Plaquenil (took it for about a year). No vision problems or color-blindness, though. I stopped because my eyes were getting too irritated (itchy, gooey discharge, etc.) even though eye exams were fine & showed no problems.
Posted by aperture (Member # 34822) on :
I've been on Plaquenil for about a month. I was told that if I develop visual field loss to stop taking it and immediately see an Eye Dr.
My LLMD advises to have a baseline visual field test and then repeat it every 6 months.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Thanks everyone.
Sounds like I should have the baseline visual field test. Hopefully I can remember that with the fog I experience.
Only one person had problems, itchy eyes, but no vision problems.
That is great to know. Thanks again.
Posted by Shiela (Member # 28681) on :
Definitely have a baseline test and regular follow ups. Give yourself an Amsler test (below) regularly. Damage due to Plaquenil can continue up to a year.
My son has been taking Plaquenil for several (can't remember exactly how many) years now with no problems.
He has a vision check once or twice a year and he periodically gets his visual field tested. All this is done by his Ophthalmologist.
I would recommend you also do this.
Posted by Shiela (Member # 28681) on :
Had my eyes checked today and the opthalmologist told me that if there was going to be damage to the eyes it would not be acute but could be many years after I had taken it. I asked him if there were follow up studies to see how many people had gone blind after having taken Plaquenil. He told me there were no studies to his knowledge. Yikes!
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Well, I only took it for about 3 or 4 months. I no longer take it now.
See the date of my posting.
Hopefully, no damage will show up.
I'm already getting cataracs, and my opthamalogist thinks it is due to my asthma inhaler.
Thanks again, everyone.
Posted by rosiegeorge (Member # 27518) on :
have been on plaquenil since August 2013 with no problems. It changed the quality of my life. No regrets,
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
When I took my DD to the eye doctor to get a baseline, he said that although it can cause problems, it is very rare.
Posted by rosiegeorge (Member # 27518) on :
Yes I was also told the same
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
My doc was concerned enough to not let me go above 200mg per day. (I'm 155#.) But he also commented that he didn't think 1 month of hydroxychloroquine ['Plaquenil'] would be an issue, which was the extent of my original Biaxin 'script... to see if things "improved".
Mind you, I had to ask for the stuff after I read in Dr. B's about it's ability to improve the efficacy of the clarithromycin [generic 'Biaxin'], which I was buying out-of-pocket ($$).
I guess it's primarily the ones who take Plaquenil for several to many months, at a higher level, who are most at risk for developing permanent sight damage issues.
You should have a "base-line" visual exam done before you start on the stuff [a recommendation by my doctor] and see how you do.
Posted by Littlesprout (Member # 7406) on :
I have been on plaq for 5 + yrs w no problem My eye doc said one of her patients has taken it for 15yrs w no problems