Hi Everyone,

I went to my Rheumatologist last week. She is giving me and my gastro. dr. a choice between Plaquenil and Methotrexate. One affects your eyes more and one affects your liver more. That is what my dr. said. So, what do yall know about the side effects of both and the benefits of both? I would appreciate any comments or advice from everyone.

Thanks in advance.

Wannabe :confused:

Hi,

I am on both methotrexate and plaquenil. I have been on plaquenil for over a year and a half and methotrexate since September. I have had no side effects from either one. I get my eyes checked every six months and I am now at once a month on blood work for my liver enzymes (used to be every 2 weeks). I take these for the arthritis associated with my lupus.

I don't know if this helps you or not. If you have any particular questions, I would be happy to answer them.

I wish you well with this decision and the results. :wave:

I would start with the plaquenil. It's much less toxic to the system. The chance of damage to the eyes with plaquenil is extremely slim. Your chances of problems with the methotrexate are a bit larger. Many people do end up with both or a combination of othr drugs.

everyone is different with meds i have taken them both a couple years ago on methotrexate i was very sick tired couldnt get off couch my hair was thinning have been on plaquenil a few months now was nauseated first couple days now no side effects ctuit is right i would start out on plaquenil first

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for you fast information. My Rheumy did say that one started working faster than the other. Do yall know which one? My dr. is giving it me for a rampant case or RA (it just keeps getting worse and worse). She does not want to give me anymore Prednisone and Relafen. I am at my top doses now! So, that is why the change.

Do yall know anything about the costs of either? I have a $5,000. deductible (I am at about $2,500 - $3,000 right now). I would have to pay the copay on the drugs and the total cost of the eye drs. and blood tests and the rheumatologist. Of course I am going to her about every 2 - 3 mo. now, anyway! My hands are just all ate up!!!

Thanks again for your help.

Wannabe

ToBeFreeToRoam

Sorry to hear that you are having a lot of pain with your RA. I have lupus which mainly affects my joints and skin. I have been taking hydroxychloroquine which is the generic of plaquenil for the past three years. My rheumy recently added Imuran (instead of methotrexate).

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) takes up to 3 months to begin working. I have not had any problems with it; and make sure I see the eye doctor every 6 months. I don't know anything about methotrexate.

Both medications are brought as generics, so it can run you at least $50 (without insurance) for each medication depending on how many methotrexate pills you would have to have; hydroxychloroqine only comes in 200mg pills which you have to take twice a day.

Fortunately, I have good insurance so my co pays are only $10 each.

Hope you feel better soon. Take care.

I've taken both drugs. I'd start with the plaquenil. If it doesn't help enough, MTX can always be added to it later.

The plaquenil is cheaper. The generic version is about $90 for 180 tablets. Methotrexate would run about $150. Those are both what the costs would be without insurance.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your responses and sharing of your knowledge! I guess that if I go on Plaquenil, I would have to take something else, for a while to help my RA?! Did you guys?

Can yall tell me, what is the difference between Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis? I also gained a lot of weight on the Prednisone, in a matter of about 2 - 3 months! I will not mind getting off of that! I need to loose the weight I gained, because I am now Obese, instead of just fat!!! She just gave me a diuretic for about 3 weeks, also. At my request. I feel like a big painful tight balloon!!!

Take care.

And thanks again!

Wannabe

Hi all,

My rheumatologist, decided to put me on Methotrexate. I could not get my gastro dr. to call me back. I do not know if she - rheumy dr. - talked with him or not. I pick it up tomorrow. I am to only take it 1 x per week. 4 each of 2.5 mg. the first week, then 5 each of 2.5 mg. the second week. I do not know what happens after that. I am also to take folic acid every day.

Let me know what yall think about this. Is it a low dose or medium? The nurse said the the main side effect is nausea, so you take it at night right after dinner and before going to bed. We shall see...

Wannabe

Hi, new here, been lurking. I was first put on Plaquenil for "lupus like" CTD and it does take a few months to kick in. I was on pred. in the meantime. The only trouble I had was when my ins. company insisted I try the generic and it made me violently ill (vomiting). Then I developed psoriatic arthritis and we added methotrexate. YOur dose is on the lower side. I used to take 7 pills per week, but that gave me horrendous headaches. I Cut down to 6 and I'm doing ok. We have had to add Enbrel to the mix also now. Has your dr. mentioned Enbrel?

Hi Gemini,

What is CTD? I am sort of glad that my dose is low. It is scary to take so much medicine and switch so much! But, if I can loose some of this balloon/puff skin and water and fat underneath, I do not mind changing meds! It is like all of the skin on my body is stretched tight as a drum!

I have read about Enbrel some on this bd. But, my doctor has not said a word about it. Does it do about the same thing as Prednisone? Are you not supposed to take it for certain reasons!? I do have a bad stomach among other things...

Thanks for educating me! Every little bit helps. The more you know the less scared I am!

Take care.

Wananbe

Hi, sorry, CTD is Connective Tissue Disease.

Enbrel is in a class by itself. It's an injection. THe best place for info would be www.enbrel.com. It's been great for me. I have hear many ins. companies want you to first try methotrexate before trying Enbrel since Enbrel is VERY expensive.