This is something your rheumatologist should be keeping an eye on but we all know that these days we have to look after ourselves and be proactive! I am thankful for the information shared my Niranjana.

As @rss says, at least annual ophthalmology exams with a retinal scan and visual field testing are critical, and some recommend every six-month checks. The longer we're on it, the greater the risk.

It's also reasonable to ask your doctor to check a yearly EKG to monitor for the RARE possibility of heart damage from it.😘

@A MyLupusTeam Member glad you have found what works for you. Niranjana isnt telling me to do something and isnt advising me as a physician. She posted recommendations I wasn’t aware of from the American College of Rheumatology and ophthalmology groups and was just answering my question. HCQ toxicity is a serious matter we should all be aware of and I appreciate N’s knowledge and counsel. I always followup with my own research and would not change my dosage without discussing it with my doctor. And I do appreciate so much your care and concern. It’s nice to hear from you 😘

Mentioned Users

A MyLupus...

@CarolynWells--An EKG is not routinely recommended, but there are more reports in the medical literature of cardiac toxicity, now that more people have been on HCQ for long periods of time. So they may tell you it's unnecessary, but you can ask your internist for it. I don't believe most rheumatologists run EKGs in their offices, but internal medicine doctors do so routinely.

I take 1 -200 mg daily and 2-200 mg every other day. I check my eyes every 6 months by ophthalmologist and retina specialist. retina specialist said 5 yrs on HCQ is when eye activity can happen.