GI upset with stomach cramping and pain is common. You can reduce the risk by taking it with food.
In some cases Plaquinel can cause vision problems. Make sure you are working also with an opthamoligist who knows you are on plaquinel. If you don't have one already talk to you primary care physician for a referral.
I've been on plaquenil a few months. I have never had a butterfly rash. I have started having heartburn/acid reflux. That is a symptom I normally only experience with pregnancy. I take Nexium now for that. But it's the only change I've experienced.
Upsets my stomach so I take Prilosec to help with that and my gerd.
My rosy cheeks popped up well before the medicine. Usually it is caused by lupus.
@A MyLupusTeam Member,thank you so very much for that insight. I was very adamant with my doctor about having all my systems checked out thoroughly before beginning this medicine so if anything new came up, I could possibly attribute it to the medicine. I was already having GI problems before I started it, but I find that taking Magnesium supplements works wonders for offsetting GI problems and stomach upsets. However, I did have my first rash outbreak recently since being on the medicine and I was wondering if this infamous butterfly rash is a true symptom of the disease or if it develops as a side effect of the medicine.Just curious.