No, weight gain has not been reported as a direct side effect of Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) in clinical studies. In fact, the medication is more commonly associated with weight loss due to side effects like loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea.
No, weight gain hasn't been reported as a side effect of Plaquenil. But weight loss has been reported as a side effect. Two conditions Plaquenil is prescribed to treat, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, can cause symptoms that contribute to weight gain.
Side Effects
Hydroxychloroquine typically is well tolerated. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often improve with time. Other side effects include rash, hair changes, and muscle weakness. Rarely, hydroxychloroquine can lead to anemia, typically in individuals with G6PD deficiency or porphyria.
No clinical trial has reported that Hydroxychloroquine can make you gain weight. However, bloating or weight gain can be experienced by some people because of water or fluid retention in the body. You should inform your physician if you experience severe or unusual weight change.
Plaquenil works very slowly. In 1 to 3 months you should start to feel better. You may continue to get better for up to 1 year. Most people who take Plaquenil also take other medicines for pain and stiffness.
Cautions with other medicines
If you take antacids, leave a gap of at least 4 hours between taking them and hydroxychloroquine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including: azithromycin, erythromycin or clarithromycin, antibiotics. amiodarone or digoxin, medicines for heart problems.
HCQ treatment may be discontinued by patients and physicians due to dermatologic, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal side effects, most commonly retinal toxicity.
While lupus can make it challenging to manage your weight, taking these steps can help:
While this may work for some, this timing isn't the best choice for everyone. If HCQ gives you an energy boost, taking it at night may interfere with sleep quality. On the other hand, if nausea or cramping is your main concern, taking HCQ at night could help.
It works by calming your immune system. This helps reduce swelling (inflammation) in people with autoimmune conditions, where your immune system attacks your own body. For example, it helps reduce the inflammation that causes swollen and stiff joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine is not a painkiller.
“If you feel like your central vision is getting blurred, if you lose the ability to see a digital clock, if you lose color vision—if reds look kind of washed out—or if you have trouble seeing at night: Those are early signs that you might be developing Plaquenil retinopathy,” says Katz.
These may occur for the first few days a person takes the drug while the body adjusts to the medication. Loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, or headache are uncommon side effects and typically go away over time.
GLP-1 drugs, particularly semaglutide, have been shown to support weight loss, which might improve overall health and potentially reduce the burden of lupus symptoms.
How long you take hydroxychloroquine for depends on why you're taking it. For some conditions, if hydroxychloroquine works for you then you may need to take it for several years, or even for the rest of your life, to control your symptoms.
Lupus can also cause other problems in the abdomen, including peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and ascites (a build-up of fluids in the abdomen). Symptoms of peritonitis and ascites include: Abdominal pain and swelling. Nausea and vomiting.
One of the most common causes of weight gain is lifestyle changes. This can include changes in diet, physical activity and sleep patterns. For example, if you start eating more calories than you burn, you may experience weight gain. Similarly, if you become less physically active, you may also gain weight.
Lupus can attack many different parts of the body. Some call it the cruel mystery. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can strike any part of the body, but the wide range of symptoms can be easily mistaken for something else.
Inhibition of systemic inflammation and autophagy by hydroxychloroquine has been linked to antineoplastic effects. Currently, multiple randomized controlled trials have been conducted using hydroxychloroquine as an anticancer drug or as an add-on to existing chemotherapeutic regimens [1].
You're not alone. Many MyLupusTeam members report stomach issues, like gassiness and bloating when taking HCQ, a medication sold in generic forms and under brand names including Plaquenil.
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate primarily affects vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, calcium, and magnesium levels in the body. This medication, commonly used for autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can interfere with nutrient absorption and metabolism through several mechanisms.
Another is hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) which can also cause sleep difficulties.