It initially took a few months for me. After a few years, I went off it for a while. It wasn't until then that I realized how much better I felt on it than off. Highly recommend it!!

For me it was a gradual improvement but after a few years I was having issues with my vision and asked to be taken off..... after a few months I noticed the difference. I lost alot of hair and had other issues, I began to worry about it. I talked to my RA specialist and she put me back on it..... my hair loss has slowed down but my vision issues have resumed and gotten worse.... so it's good in many areas for me but not so good for my vision.... I now have blurry vision and have developed keratitis due to my lupus . They aren't sure if it's from the plaquenil so they are considering reducing my dosage..... it really helps you but talk to your doctor about any changes and worries you have.... they are all important. Good luck!

I think it is different for everyone, just make sure you have your eyes checked twice a year and tell your dr if you notice vision changes.

At one stage, my Rheumy reduced my Plaquenil from 4 in 2 days, to 3 in 2 days. After about a month, I had trouble breathing. Turns out I had fluid around the heart. I went back to 4 in 2 days and 5 years later, I've never had it again!! Good stuff that Plaquenil!! :)

Dr said I would reach maximum benefit at 6 months but he was wrong. I continued to improve. I just reached a year in December and that's about when the improvements stopped. I still have bad days but I am able to get by 95% of the time without pain pills....right now anyway