“Rheumatoid Arthritis”
I have both Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis only diagnosed one year ago. I am on Sulphasalazine three times daily and Hydrochloroquine twice daily. I found I have excess sweating and drowsiness. Is this a common side symptom?
Female | 62 years old
Complaint duration: Osteo 12 years Rheumatoid 1 year
Medications: Zomorph Naproxen Sulphasalazine Hydrochloroquine
Conditions: Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis
12 Answers
Never say never when it comes to a possible drug side effect but excess seating and drowsiness would be exceptionally rare possible SE’s - In my experience, I can’t say that I have seen those SE’s from those 2 drugs
Hello!
Excess sweating and, especially drowsiness, can have many causes. It could be due to the medications, to the rheumatoid arthritis, or to age or other medical conditions you may have going on. I would recommend discussing these symptoms with your primary care doctor or your rheumatologist and see what they say. Of course, I would be happy to see you in person for a visit and we can discuss it in detail as well, after I learn more about you.
I hope this helps!
Irina Raklyar MD
Excess sweating and, especially drowsiness, can have many causes. It could be due to the medications, to the rheumatoid arthritis, or to age or other medical conditions you may have going on. I would recommend discussing these symptoms with your primary care doctor or your rheumatologist and see what they say. Of course, I would be happy to see you in person for a visit and we can discuss it in detail as well, after I learn more about you.
I hope this helps!
Irina Raklyar MD
Dr. Tamar Brionez
Houston, TX
Hello!
This is not a common side effect of these medications. Sulfasalazine and Plaquenil are commonly used for Rheumatoid Arthritis and are generally well tolerated. The most common side effect of sulfasalazine is gastric issues. Please first visit with your primary care doctor to make sure nothing else is going on and then your Rheumatologist to ensure you get a full evaluation.
Thanks so much!
Best regards,
Dr Brionez
This is not a common side effect of these medications. Sulfasalazine and Plaquenil are commonly used for Rheumatoid Arthritis and are generally well tolerated. The most common side effect of sulfasalazine is gastric issues. Please first visit with your primary care doctor to make sure nothing else is going on and then your Rheumatologist to ensure you get a full evaluation.
Thanks so much!
Best regards,
Dr Brionez
Not a common side effect, but it is always advisable to contact your doctor or discuss your symptoms at your next appointment:)
Possible side effect. Talk toy our doc about finding out if it is a side effect. Usually by stopping one at a time, most likely sulfasalazine.
The Zomorph, or Morphine, commonly causes drowsiness and increased sweating. The Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine medications generally do not give rise to the mentioned symptoms you are having.
No, it is not
I infer that you hare been seen by a rheumatologist, since you are on two medication that, although safe, need to have rheumatologist follow up for surveillance.
Hydroxycloroquine can give , central nervous system symptoms and may be the cause of drowsiness or hypoglycemia which in turn will make you drowsy as well.Anemia may also be a cause of the symptoms as well. Regarding the excessive sweating you should make note of the time of the day when symptoms appear and please take the temperature.
Please also note that sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis is taken twice a day ( not three times a day).
I advise you to discuss the symptoms with your rheumatologist so he can advise after performing the pertinent test.
Thank you for the question.
Manuela Pedra-Nobre, MD
President, North Jersey Rheumatology Center
Hydroxycloroquine can give , central nervous system symptoms and may be the cause of drowsiness or hypoglycemia which in turn will make you drowsy as well.Anemia may also be a cause of the symptoms as well. Regarding the excessive sweating you should make note of the time of the day when symptoms appear and please take the temperature.
Please also note that sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis is taken twice a day ( not three times a day).
I advise you to discuss the symptoms with your rheumatologist so he can advise after performing the pertinent test.
Thank you for the question.
Manuela Pedra-Nobre, MD
President, North Jersey Rheumatology Center
Very uncommon but yes. Hydroxychloroquine may also cause sleepiness
Hello,
Excessive sweating and drowsiness are not typically associated with sulfasalazine or plaquenil. Those symptoms may be coming from the zomorph (morphine ER) however.
Feel better.
Excessive sweating and drowsiness are not typically associated with sulfasalazine or plaquenil. Those symptoms may be coming from the zomorph (morphine ER) however.
Feel better.
No, none of these med gives excess sweating or drowsiness.=
Excess sweating and drowsiness are not common adverse effects of Sulfasalazine or Hydroxychloroquine. About 10% of patients on Sulfasalazine may experience some skin rash and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain). Hydroxychloroquine is generally well tolerated.
The most considered adverse effect is of possible damage to the eyes with long term use. This injury to the eyes is reversible, if it is detected early and the medication is stopped. All patients are hence advised to have regular eye doctor visits to check for signs of this damage.
Please speak to your rheumatologist about this and about your recent symptoms.
The most considered adverse effect is of possible damage to the eyes with long term use. This injury to the eyes is reversible, if it is detected early and the medication is stopped. All patients are hence advised to have regular eye doctor visits to check for signs of this damage.
Please speak to your rheumatologist about this and about your recent symptoms.
