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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Aralen

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Wappingers Falls, NY

Can you drink alcohol with taking this med?

August 12, 2022
 · 
Be the first to react
A MyLupusTeam Member

No. i wouldn't your body truly need to absorb the medication and uour liver and kidney id working hard enough to keep up with filtering toxins and your blood. It doesnt need unnecessary added induce stress.🙃

August 13, 2022
MyLupusTeam

Aralen, also known by its drug name Chloroquine, is a prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1949 to treat malaria. It is also prescribed to treat inflammation associated with lupus. Here are some key points about Aralen:

How It Works
- Mechanism: Aralen is believed to work by interfering in communication between Show Full Answer

Aralen, also known by its drug name Chloroquine, is a prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1949 to treat malaria. It is also prescribed to treat inflammation associated with lupus. Here are some key points about Aralen:

How It Works
- Mechanism: Aralen is believed to work by interfering in communication between the cells of the immune system.

Usage
- Dosage: Usually taken once a day with food.
- Onset of Improvement: Symptoms may begin to improve within one or two months, but some people may not see improvement until several months of use.
- Smoking: Do not smoke while taking Aralen as it can reduce its benefits.
- Ophthalmologist Visits: Regular checkups with an ophthalmologist are necessary before starting and every six months during treatment to monitor for vision-related side effects.

Side Effects
- Common Side Effects: Blurred vision, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea.
- Serious Side Effects: Irreversible eye damage, vision changes, hearing changes, mood changes, pain in the arms, legs, or back, fast heartbeat, worsening of skin problems, swelling in the feet or ankles, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and changes in hair such as loss or color change.
- Emergency Symptoms: Fainting, seizures, changes to heartbeat (faster, slower, or irregular), difficulty breathing, and swelling in the face, throat, eyes, lips, or tongue.

Precautions
- Not Suitable For: People with certain vision conditions, known hypersensitivity to related drugs, auditory damage, liver disease, alcoholism, or a history of epilepsy.
- Stopping Medication: Stopping Aralen may cause a lupus flare, so always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.

Results
- Clinical Trial: A 1953 trial showed significant improvement in early cases of dermatological lupus symptoms with Chloroquine treatment.

Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

August 1, 2024