Medications Used to Treat Lupus

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Medications

Used to Treat Lupus

from Lupus : A Patient Care Guide

Nonsteroidal

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are

often used to reduce pain and inflammation in patients who have mild systemic

lupus erythematosus (SLE). Many different types of NSAIDs exist, some of which you can buy without a

doctor’s prescription. These are called “over-the-counter”

drugs. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include

aspirin, Motrin,¹ Orudis,

and Anaprox. Tylenol is not an NSAID and is not used

to reduce the inflammation of lupus.

Although all NSAIDs appear to work in the same way, there are

differences among them. Not every NSAID has the same effect on every person.

Also, you may find that one NSAID works well for a while, then for some unknown

reason, it doesn’t work well any more. Your doctor will probably switch

you to a different NSAID to get the same helpful effects you had with the first

one.

Antimalarials

Antimalarials are very

effective in controlling lupus arthritis, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, and other

symptoms such as fatigue and fever. They are used to manage less serious forms

of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in which no

organs have been damaged. Antimalarials are also very

effective in the treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus

(DLE).

Although antimalarials may be very effective in controlling your

lupus, their use takes patience. It may take weeks or months before you see any

change in symptoms from the use of these drugs.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are

very powerful drugs that reduce inflammation in various tissues of the body.

These drugs are used to treat many of the symptoms of lupus that result from

inflammation. You can take this medication as pills or by injection.

Corticosteroid creams or ointments are also available to treat skin rashes

caused by lupus. Most lupus symptoms respond quickly to corticosteroids.

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is often used to treat lupus.

The decision to begin

corticosteroids is a big one and depends on your needs. Some patients may need

to take the drug for a short time only, until disease symptoms get better or go

away. Others with more serious or life-threatening problems may require higher

doses of the drug for longer periods of time. In general, once your lupus

symptoms have responded to treatment, you will gradually take less and less of

the drug until you can stop completely. If it is not possible for you to stop

the drug completely, your doctor will give you the smallest amount possible to

keep symptoms under control.

Doctors are careful

about prescribing corticosteroids because many complications are associated

with taking this drug. As a result, it is important to take the drug exactly as

prescribed. People who have been taking corticosteroids for a long time may

need higher doses of the drug before, during, or after a physically stressful

event, such as surgery.

Azathioprine

Azathioprine is a

drug that acts to suppress the work of the immune system. It is used mainly in

organ transplantation to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. The

drug is also used in patients with lupus who have damage to their kidneys or

other organs, muscle inflammation, or advanced arthritis. Azathioprine

helps to reduce symptoms and damage to the affected organs. It can also help

achieve a remission of the disease.

Another benefit of azathioprine is that it reduces or even eliminates the need

for corticosteroid therapy. This means that patients do not have to have the

unpleasant side effects that occur with corticosteroids. Immunosuppressives

like azathioprine, however, can have their own

serious side effects. Your doctor must work closely with you to make sure that

the amount of the drug you are taking gives you the benefits you need with as

few side effects as possible.

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is a

drug used to treat a number of cancers, and it is used to treat patients with

lupus when major organs, such as the kidneys, are affected. It is also used to

treat severe inflammation that has not responded to corticosteroids. In lupus,

the immune system is too active. Cyclophosphamide

slows down the immune system so that disease activity can be reduced.

Cyclophosphamide is a

very powerful drug. It can have a number of effects on the body. As a result,

it is important that you understand how it is used to treat your lupus. You

will need to work closely with your doctor and nurse to make sure that the

amount of the drug you are taking gives you the benefits you need with as few

side effects as possible.

Hugs,

Deanna