Treatment and Prevention
The use of medication to treat lupus depends on the severity of the disease. In some cases, medication may not even be necessary.
Commonly prescribed medications include:
- painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - some of these medications are available over-the-counter, but check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting one
- hydroxychloroquine* is used, although it is often used with other medications to help control the disease
- oral corticosteroids are the main treatment for most cases - this type of medication will help to reduce inflammation and its symptoms
- immunosuppressive agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, azathioprine) suppress the immune system from attacking the body's organs and tissues - these are used when there is kidney, brain, or other major organ involvement
Note that all of these medications, while they can be helpful and sometimes even lifesaving, have potentially very serious side effects. You should discuss the benefits and risks carefully with your doctor. You may also want to discuss with health care professionals who are experienced in the use of these medications, such as rheumatologists (doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones).
For those who have lupus, the following tips may be helpful:
- Consult a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists have the greatest experience and expertise in diagnosing and managing lupus in all its many forms.
- Pregnancy can sometimes trigger the onset of lupus or it may worsen it in people who already have lupus, but in other cases the disease may not be affected by pregnancy. If you have lupus and are planning to become pregnant, or if you develop lupus while pregnant, you should be under the care of an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in high-risk pregnancy as well as a rheumatologist.
- Get plenty of rest and relaxation.
- Learn stress management methods.
- Receive regular medical and dental care.
- Participate in regular moderate exercise.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Do not smoke.
- Maintain vitamin D levels well within the recommended guidelines.
- Don't take over-the-counter medications without the advice of a health care professional.
- If you're taking corticosteroids and other immune-suppressing medications, report any signs of infection to your doctor.
- Avoid excessive exposure to the sunlight's ultraviolet rays - wear a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved clothing, and use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that protects against both ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) light.
- If you're pregnant or planning to have a baby, consult your doctor. You will need to be carefully monitored to prevent complications.
- Consider joining a support group to help cope with various aspects of the condition.
- Inform yourself as much as possible about lupus.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Michael E. Makover, MD, is a professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor at NYU College of Arts and Sciences. He is in the private practice of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine in New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.