Hydroxychloroquine and side effects

Sandi47

Hello

I was diagnosed with PsA (psioratic arthritis) after a bout of viral bronchitis in September 2022 & a subsequent high dose of cortisone. This was a shock, as although I have had two small patches of psiorasis on my elbows, I have never had a huge dose of that.

I have been taking 200mg of hydroxychloroquine daily as a trial for two months. The arthritis pain in my wrists & thumbs is minimal, BUT I have ongoing hair loss, which is distressing! I have another month to go until effective control of PsA is evaluated.

Anyone who is taking hydroxychloroquine I would love to hear from regarding side effects of this drug. Has anyone had hair loss? Did your hair recover eventually?

Thanks

Sandi47

Ellen

Hello @Sandi47 welcome to the online Community.

I see from your post that you have a recent diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis and are trying Hydroxychloroquine. Although the pain seems better you are quite understandably concerned about hair loss.

There are quite a few people here who are taking this medication, (also known as Plaquenil), I popped hair loss and hydroxychloroquine into the search and got the following:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?query=hydroxychloroquine%20hair%20loss&scope=site&source=community

Versus Arthritis' information indicates a possibility of 'mild' hair loss:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/hydroxychloroquine/

Finally just in case you haven't already read this it might be of interest while you wait for someone to come along and share their experience with you:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/may/all-about-psoriatic-arthritis/

Do please have a look around the forum now you have introduced yourself. Living with Arthritis tends to be one of the most popular categories.

Best wishes

Ellen.

frogmorton

Morning @Sandi47 nice to meet you. I hope you'll find this forum as helpful as I have over the years.

I have Hydroxy and have been lucky never had any trouble with hair loss. I am not sure, but it may have lost it's colour. Could just be me getting older though!

Take care

Toni

stickywicket

I've been on it for over 20 years. No hair loss (Never heard of hydroxy causing this) and no other problems. I hope it works for you.

Sandi47

Thanks for your response. Sorry for the delay in returning. I'm just becoming familiar with this site.

My hair loss has been significant. It started 3-4 months after I commenced taking Plaquenil, and the amount of hair I lost over a week was distressing. Thus my question to the community. I can say that I have had no pain apart from a few twinges in my wrists at times, but I've had no 'flare ups' or worsening symptoms at all. So that's the good news...

Sandi47

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/707709#Comment_707709

My hair loss is considerable unfortunately. But I'll see what my rheumatologist says when I see her. I live in hope that she will tell me that hair loss will recover...!😅I have no symptoms of PsA which is good.