Treatment
Usually, symptoms go away within several days to weeks after stopping the medication that caused the condition.
Treatment may include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat arthritis and pleurisy
- Corticosteroid creams to treat skin rashes
- Antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine) to treat skin and arthritis symptoms
Very rarely, high doses of corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) and immune system suppressants (azathioprine or cyclophosphamide) are used to treat persons with severe drug-induced lupus that affects the heart, kidney, and neurological system.
Protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.
Prognosis (Expectations)
Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is usually not as severe as SLE. Usually, the symptoms go away within a few days to weeks after stopping the medication.
You should avoid the medication in the future, or symptoms usually return. Routine eye exams are recommended to detect eye complications early.
Complications
- Infection
- Thrombocytopenia purpura — bleeding near the skin surface, resulting from a low number of platelets in the blood
- Hemolytic anemia
- Myocarditis
- Pericarditis
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
- Your symptoms do not improve after you stop taking the medication that caused the condition
- You develop new symptoms
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Drug-induced lupus erythematosus : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Drug-induced lupus erythematosus : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Drug-induced lupus erythematosus : Treatment
Review Date : 5/31/2009
Reviewed By : Mark James Borigini, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
