Lupus causes symptoms that affect nearly any part of the body, and lupus treatments may also cause side effects. Some members of MyLupusTeam report experiencing acid reflux or stomach upset when taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is sold under the brand name Plaquenil.

“Plaquenil really upsets my stomach,” one MyLupusTeam member wrote. “I get acid reflux, and it triggers my gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I wake up with a sore throat all the time.”

When the muscle near the bottom of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time or too often, stomach acid can travel up your esophagus and into your throat — a condition known as acid reflux. If reflux due to this esophageal muscle weakness is chronic or occurs frequently, it can lead to GERD.

Although clinical studies haven’t yet demonstrated a connection between HCQ and acid reflux, it’s important to know about some links between lupus and this gastrointestinal (GI) condition.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Hydroxychloroquine?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hydroxychloroquine for several conditions, including malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common type of lupus. This drug’s potential side effects include:

• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss
• Stomach pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache

In rare cases, HCQ may also cause eye problems like blurred vision.

Because this lupus treatment poses several potential GI side effects, it makes sense to wonder if it can also cause acid reflux.

What’s the Connection Between Acid Reflux and Lupus?

Although acid reflux isn’t specifically listed as a common side effect of hydroxychloroquine, some people who take the drug make experience it.

“I tried Plaquenil four different times and had to stop taking it,” one MyLupusTeam member wrote. “It tore up my GI system.”

Another said, “I personally do not like the side effects of this medicine, such as GERD.”

In some cases, it’s possible that lupus itself may be linked to reflux. One known complication of lupus is that it can inflame your esophagus and weaken muscles used iin swallowing. That loss of strength can allow acid to travel from your stomach back up to your throat, leading to acid reflux and potentially GERD.

Symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Heartburn, especially after eating
• Regurgitation of food, which can cause you to taste stomach acid
• Pain in your chest
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss

How MyLupusTeam Members Manage Acid Reflux

Members of MyLupusTeam often share advice for easing acid reflux, indigestion, and GERD symptoms. Their comments and tips include the following:

• “I’m on acid reflux medication, and it’s helped a lot.”
• “I try to eat only a little bit at a time, and I avoid bending over after eating.”
• “Try to sleep with your head elevated — doing that and avoiding irritating foods has helped me.”

You may want to keep a symptom journal to track what seems to trigger your acid reflux. For instance, if certain foods worsen it, you can identify the culprits by making note of everything you eat until you locate the cause. Then you can try strategies such as eliminating those ingredients from your diet, timing when you eat them, or limiting how much you eat.

Talk With Your Doctor

If you experience reflux symptoms, talk to your health care professional. They can evaluate potential causes and offer medical advice on how to manage them. If they find that your medication is the cause, they may be able to recommend what to eat and not eat with your medication, suggest over-the-counter antacids, or modify your treatment plan.

Your rheumatology expert is the best source of information for treating possible drug interactions and side effects, so speak with them right away if you experience any new symptoms like acid reflux or if your symptoms get worse. They’ll help you find the best treatment plan to manage your symptoms and feel your best while living with lupus.

Meet Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 222,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Do you ever have acid reflux while taking hydroxychloroquine? What helps you manage these side effects? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.