Certainly! Here is some information about Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for rheumatoid arthritis based on the knowledge base:

Overview of Plaquenil
- Type: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
- Approval: FDA-approved for treating acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
- Function: Believed to Show Full Answer

Certainly! Here is some information about Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for rheumatoid arthritis based on the knowledge base:

Overview of Plaquenil:
- Type: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
- Approval: FDA-approved for treating acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
- Function: Believed to interfere with immune system cells to prevent them from attacking the body’s tissues.

Benefits:
- Reduces: Joint pain and swelling.
- Protects: Against joint damage.
- Decreases: Risk of disability related to arthritis.

Usage:
- Form: Taken orally as a tablet once daily.
- Combination: Can be prescribed alone or with methotrexate and azulfidine.

Patient Experiences:
- Positive Impact: Many patients have found Plaquenil to be a life-changer, significantly reducing pain and improving daily functions like dressing, washing hair, cooking, and feeding themselves.
- Long-term Use: Some patients have been on Plaquenil for over a decade and report it as an essential part of their treatment regimen.

Side Effects:
- Common: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, rash, itchiness, hair loss, and diarrhea.
- Serious: Rare but can include low blood cell counts, heart disorders, deafness, visual disturbances, liver failure, seizures, and suicidal behavior.
- Eye Problems: Can cause serious eye issues, especially with long-term use. An eye exam is recommended within the first year and then every one to five years.

Patient Stories:
- Challenges: Some patients have faced difficulties accessing Plaquenil due to shortages, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Combination Therapy: Works well in combination with other drugs like sulfasalazine, meloxicam, and anakinra (Kineret) for some patients.

For more detailed information, you can visit the following resources:
- [Plaquenil on myRAteam](https://www.myrateam.com/treatments/plaquenil)
- [Patient Stories on CreakyJoints](https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/...)

I hope this helps!

 This AI-generated response comes from myRAteam and other selected sources. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Hearing These 20+ Rheumatology Patients Share How They’ve Lost Access to Hydroxychloroquine Is Heartbreaking and Frustrating

Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis | myRAteam