Drug-induced lupus erythematosus

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Antibodies

Lupus, discoid on a child's face

Lupus, discoid on the face

Lupus, discoid - view of lesions on the chest

Lupus erythematosus is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that may can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. Drug-induced lupus is caused by an adverse (bad) reaction to a medication.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus resembles systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It occurs as a result of a hypersensitivity reaction to a medication. The drug may react with cell materials, causing the body to react to itself and form antinuclear antibodies (antibodies against structures in the body's own cells).

Several medications are known to cause drug-induced lupus, including: procainamide, isoniazid, chlorpromazine, penicillamine, sulfasalazine, hydralazine, methyldopa, and quinidine. Symptoms tend to occur after taking the drug for at least 3 to 6 months.

In drug-induced lupus erythematosus, the features of arthritis, systemic symptoms, and cardiac and pulmonary (lung) symptoms may be present. Other symptoms associated with SLE, such as lupus nephritis and neurological disease, are rare.

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. Drug-induced lupus affects men and women equally. The sex distribution of drug-induced lupus erythematosus is equal, whereas in SLE, women are affected more often than men.

Review Date: 08/02/2005
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.