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Plaquenil and appetite

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I started taking Plaquenil a few days ago. Minor stomach upset but I was warned to expect that. Everything I read told me that a common side effect is loss or appetite and weight loss.

Here's the thing: I have the opposite problem. I have been ravenously hungry since I started taking it. I have barely stopped eating. My appetite had been poor before but it's totally turned and now I'm constantly hungry.

Please tell me it takes a while for the loss of appetite to start. I don't want to gain weight due to medication.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • rita37849
    rita37849 Guest

    Posted

    I've been on plaquenil for a few years and unfortunately I have never noticed any loss of appetite from it. Unfortunately I was also on prednisone when I began this. Also, unfortunately I have been on several med school and even have celiac that warns of a potential of excessive weight loss. That is not a side effect I have ever gained. It would be useful if I did. Instead I have gained a large amount of weight through prednisone and menopause. I keep trying to reverse the process with limited results thus far. Good luck with your journey.

    • Buckeyes
      Buckeyes rita37849

      Posted

      I was on prednisone and gained 30 pounds which I couldn't afford, being overweight to start!  I was always hungry and constantly ate!  It has taken me over a year to lose it after I finally got off it!  Now I'm prediabetic!  I am working on bringing my numbers down!  I didn't know that was a side effect!  Good luck!

  • Justgettinby
    Justgettinby Guest

    Posted

    I'm on Plaquenil as well but thankfully I've not had the stomach issues some have. Are you also on Prednisone while the plaquenil kicks in? If so this could be where your hunger is coming from. Along with everything else we have to do to manage this condition, we also have to be very mindful of our diet and make sure we exercise. It's not good to let your weight get out of control as it will most definitely make it worse and bring on more issues like diabetes. I've just started MTX injections too, so now more to manage and be mindful of. It never seems to end. Best of luck to you.

    • Guest
      Guest Justgettinby

      Posted

      Thank you. I refused all steroids so I'm just taking the Plaquenil and NSAIDs. I had one prednisone shot a while ago and it affected my mood so I won't take it again. 

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