Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Plaquenil

BlessedFromOnHigh
BlessedFromOnHigh
What is the standard dosage for plaquenil? My rheumy started me on two 200MG tablets a day.
islandjacquelin
islandjacquelin
My understanding is that the dosage is based upon body weight, so it would vary.
deleted_user
deleted_user
From my understanding that is the standard starting dose.
I am on MTX and he said if I were to start on Plquenil it would be 100mg twice a day. Lower dose of a second DMARD helps reduce side effects.
fwiw
Christine26
Christine26
Yes I am on the same dosage 200mg twice a day, so I take the meds morning and evening. I am also on MTX now. I had been on Arava for almost 2 years.
BlessedFromOnHigh
BlessedFromOnHigh
Thank you all for your replies.

I am hoping that the combination of MTX 6 and plaquenil will help with the pain. I have been on MTX for almost 2 years now but I guess its time to amp it up a bit.

Have a peaceful, gentle day!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been on 200 mg twice a day for about two years. Rheumy added sulfasalazine a few months ago, but it didn't help. Now take the plaquenil plus MTX.
RCross
RCross
My rheumy told me that plaquenil wouldn't work for me.....maybe it's the weight thing?

I'm on mtx and folic acid, along with an arsenal of pain meds.
Christine26
Christine26
Hi, the Plaquenil and the MTX are to assist with the inflammation and to keep the RA at bay. You may still need pain medication on board. I am on Tramadol and Percocet when needed. I feel you always need something on board for pain.
achymom
achymom
my starting dose was 400mg daily, then she dropped it to after I lost a lot of weight (went gluten/dairy/sugar free and got skinny fast). Now I'm down to 200mg/day. This is the 3rd leg of my drug combo (+ mtx + enbrel). She will continue to lower the dose, but has found that even though it's a mild drug, it's important to have in combination with the others.