Tapering off hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is definitely something others with lupus have navigated — and experiences vary quite a bit from person to person.
Some MyLupusTeam members have shared their stories:
- One member who stopped cold turkey reported nausea, diarrhea, body pain, and more frequent flares
- Another who Show Full Answer
Tapering off hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is definitely something others with lupus have navigated — and experiences vary quite a bit from person to person.
Some MyLupusTeam members have shared their stories:
- One member who stopped cold turkey reported nausea, diarrhea, body pain, and more frequent flares
- Another who stopped due to eye concerns said they experienced significant joint problems within a month
- One member noticed their stomach issues improved after stopping, but then developed chest pain
The general takeaway? Slowly tapering is much safer than stopping abruptly. Here's what's worth knowing about tapering hydroxychloroquine:
- Stopping completely raises the risk of a lupus flare by around 61%
- Even reducing the dose increases flare risk by about 54%
- Hydroxychloroquine stays in your system for roughly 3 months after stopping, so side effects can linger
A doctor can guide a gradual dose reduction over days or weeks, and may suggest starting a replacement medication to bridge the gap.
Since you're also on prednisone, it's especially important to involve your rheumatologist — adjusting both medications at once needs careful coordination. Don't make any changes without their guidance! 💊
May 18
Join
Your Privacy Choices
