How does plaquenil work for lupus?

If you’re one of the millions affected by lupus, then you’ve probably heard about Plaquenil. It’s a medication that works to alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life. But what exactly is it? And how does it work? Let’s dive in!

What Is Plaquenil?

Plaquenil is the brand name for hydroxychloroquine sulfate, a medication commonly prescribed to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials.

The Lupus Connection

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues in your body. This can lead to inflammation, pain, organ damage, and other unpleasant symptoms.

One way that Plaquenil helps those with lupus is by suppressing their overactive immune response. It does this by blocking specific receptors on white blood cells called toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs play a role in activating the immune response when they detect foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. By dampening this process, plaquenil reduces inflammation! No more partying immune cells flooding around areas where they are not needed!!

Additionally, plaquenil may prevent flares from happening altogether – putting incoming wannabe party-immune-cells on alert!

Can You See Me Now?

As if doing all that wasn’t impressive enough; Did you know? When used for long periods(doses ranging above 5 milligrams), thanks to its chemical cousin chloroquine – another quinoline derivative with similar properties- increases lysosomal pH(Hydroxychloroquinine also reveses Chloriquine Toxicity?). Lysosomes are compartments within our cells filled with digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down waste and cellular debris among others parts of the cell or pathogen that evade immune cells. By increasing lysosomal pH, plaquenil makes it tougher for harmful invaders to survive within our cells – in particular areas where waste continues to pile up! So, yes (or perhaps no), you cannot hide from Plaquenil!

Safe and Sound

It’s understandable if you’re concerned about taking medication for extended periods; Long-term use may cause concerns regarding eye health – including retinopathy which affects vision(i.e Macular degeneration). Yet these are rare(at very low doses of HCQ) and typically occur after several years on the drug A regular comprehensive dilated eye exam is required every 12 months. Your doctor will be discussing your risk factors and screening process with you (How nice of him/her/they) .

Note at doses above clinical thresholds or susceptible individuals some liver toxicity cases have been recorded: It is essential to get liver function tests regularly.

Do not forget:

  • Don’t smoke
  • Get healthy UV blocking glasses.
  • Keep all follow-up appointments

But here’s the thing, Just like any other medications side-effects can manifest differently between different people; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea(mostly shorts lived), headache(don’t even think about it!), mood changes; might happen but hey the incidence rates are not >10%

Oh my dear reader before I forget Did I mention how convenient this drug is? It can be taken orally as a tablet or capsule form. Plus points its’ uniquely kind due to an interchangeable body mechanism : Absorption through stomach via acid medium hence doesn’t need fancy coordination with meals(yes colleagues who love food-ing while popping pills I’m referring to us!). Additionally since its’ metabolized predominantly by the Liver(Didn’t we already talk about that?) It snubs most active mechanisms found in kidney pathways(with significant excretion accounted only through fecal route).

Be Aware of the Limits

While Plaquenil is effective in managing symptoms and improving quality of life for those with lupus, it’s important to remember that it’s not a cure. It only helps manage inflammation and autoimmune activity.

Additionally, certain strains can resist its action( E.g Malaria Parasites?) thus shouldn’t be used for off-label reasons.

Another note: If your goal with taking hydroxychloroquine sulfate is fertility maybe you should know that; (A) There’s limited data on HCQ use during pregnancy (as expected), consult clinical expert before decision making both about weaning down as per what more recent studies suggest or continuing medication.(B) Data also suggests that concentration hepatic clearance is significantly higher in patients presenting poor renal function than those healthy ones- Probably not the best idea!

Wrap Up

Plaquenil may seem like magic at times – relieving pain, reducing swelling – But trust me; there are clinical mechanisms working behind the scenes! When taken as directed by a health care professional, it really can make a big difference in your daily life if you have Lupus(within therapeutic limits!). Don’t forget keeping an eye out through regular check-ups to identify early toxicity signs(i.e maculopathy)!

Random Posts