HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Newbie here..Humira with Plaquenil

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/28/2018 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was diagnosed on Monday with Lupus and told by my Rheumy to take Plaquenil. He said it would be fine with Humira, which is what I currently take for Ulcerative Colitis. However, I have looked at a couple of 'drug interactions' sites online and both have stated that there is a drug interaction between the two.

Are there any other alternatives to Plaquenil for Lupus.

Perhaps I am being overly anxious?

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this.

Thanks
Posted 2/28/2018 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Humm. The interactions checker at drugs.com considers this a moderate risk. I would ask both Drs again to consider interactions - let them know the amount of each you are taking.

Plaquenil is used to inhibit the progression of Lupus - while there are generic forms I don't know of any alternatives. Usually it is given in conjunction with another medication, like Prednisone, Cellcept, MTX, or Imuran that treats symptoms more directly.

Best wishes,
Posted 3/1/2018 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
thanks, I sent a note to my rheumatologist and he said "no problem"

I am in a bad Lupus flare up at the moment and I am thinking once I have it under control maybe I could reduce the meds from 400 to 200 a day..
Posted 3/1/2018 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Plaquenil takes 2-3 months to work up to a therapeutic dose - it's not for addressing flares and then reducing dosage afterward - it needs to be maintained at a constant dosage to do it's job of slowing disease progression. The other medications I mentioned, particularly prednisone, are often adjusted as flares ebb and flow.

I would keep my eyes open and be aware of anything that might indicate the type of nerve reactions that they talk about as the symptoms of the "moderate" drug interaction.
Posted 3/1/2018 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
okay thank you
Posted 3/6/2018 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Poppie, sorry to see you over here on the Lupus board as I am used to seeing you over in the UC forum. I am taking Plaquenil and Humira, no issues. When I was first diagnosed with Lupus I took 400 mg and then after about a year and a half I was doing so well with the lupus symptoms (they were quiet) I went down to 200 mg. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 3/7/2018 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mrs Brady. I am happy to hear you have had no problems with both Humira and Plaquenil. I started on Plaquenil about a week ago and the problem I am having is that it takes around three months (so I am told) for the Plaquenil to kick in. Can you remember how long it took before you got some relief?

As you know with UC we are not supposed to take NSAIDs. Today I took Tylenol which helped a little but I was wondering what you take for pain relief.
Posted 3/12/2018 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Poppie, I took pred for about 4 months when I first started the Plaquenil, it was the only thing that relieved the joint pain. I took 20 mg for several weeks and then tapered very slowly, 5 mg every 2 weeks and once I hit 5 I tapered by 2.5 per week, then 2.5 every other day. By the time the 4 months was up I felt better. I found Tylenol did nothing and tried Celebrex but that didn't help either. Warm/hot baths with Epsom salt provided some relief (while I was in the tub) and a heating pad helped a bit. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 3/12/2018 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mrs Brady I appreciate your help.
Posted 3/13/2018 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Poppie, anytime! I had so many questions when I was first diagnosed so feel free to ask away. I don't check the site every day but am on here a few times a week.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply