Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a commonly used DMARD for managing RA, but it's worth knowing that in rare cases it can cause eye-related side effects, including potential damage that may affect vision.
Here are some key safety points to be aware of:
- Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist are strongly recommended for Show Full Answer
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a commonly used DMARD for managing RA, but it's worth knowing that in rare cases it can cause eye-related side effects, including potential damage that may affect vision.
Here are some key safety points to be aware of:
- Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist are strongly recommended for anyone taking hydroxychloroquine
- Eye damage from hydroxychloroquine is rare, but catching any changes early is critical to protecting your vision
- Always report any new or unusual vision changes to both your rheumatologist and eye doctor promptly
- Never stop or reduce your hydroxychloroquine dose without speaking to your rheumatologist first, as this can trigger an RA flare The general guidance for anyone on hydroxychloroquine is to have a baseline eye exam before or shortly after starting the medication, and then annual check-ups thereafter. This helps detect any early signs of retinal changes before they progress.
If there are existing concerns about macular health, it's especially important to have an open conversation with both a rheumatologist and an ophthalmologist to weigh the benefits of hydroxychloroquine against any personal risk factors.
October 12
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