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

Usually, symptoms resolve within several days to weeks after stopping the medication that caused the symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat arthritis and pleurisy.

Corticosteroid creams are used to treat skin rashes. Antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine) are sometimes used for skin and arthritis symptoms. Sensitivity to light is treated by protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Routine eye examinations are recommended to detect eye complications early.

Occasionally, the steroid prednisone is used to treat more severe cases, especially if the heart is involved. Very rarely, severe drug-induced lupus with severe cardiac involvement or significant kidney or neurologic disease requires high doses of steroids and strong medications that suppress the immune system, such as azathioprine or cyclophosphamide.

Symptoms usually resolve within several days to weeks after stopping the medication. It is essential not to restart the culprit medication at a later time, as symptoms will usually recur. Abnormal antibodies may persist for months or years despite remission.

• Infection
• Thrombocytopenia purpura -- bleeding near the skin surface, resulting from a low number of platelets in the blood.
• Hemolytic anemia
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms do not improve after discontinuing the medication that caused the symptoms. You should also call if new symptoms develop.

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.