Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Medications Used to Treat Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus

  Because lupus can cause a lot of different health problems, there are many different kinds of medicines that can treat it. You and your doctors can work together to find the right combination of medicines for you. […] Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a type of antimalarial medicine. Antimalarials work by reducing autoantibodies (proteins in the blood that attack healthy cells and tissues). Doctors use antimalarials to treat malaria, but these medicines can also treat lupus by: […] Most people with lupus take hydroxychloroquine throughout their lives. It helps control lupus symptoms with very few side effects. […] Hydroxychloroquine may also help prevent blood clots and organ damage from lupus. It usually takes 1 to 3 months to start working. […] Steroids can help reduce pain and inflammation. They work by decreasing the activity of overactive white blood cells. This prevents them from causing inflammation that leads to lupus symptoms.

• #2 Lupus Basics | Lupus | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/lupus/about/index.html

  Lupus has no cure, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help treat and manage it. […] There is no cure for lupus, but it can be treated. […] To best manage your symptoms, it is important to: See a doctor regularly. Take medicines as prescribed. Follow your treatment plan. […] The goals of treatment are to: Manage the symptoms you have. Prevent future increases in symptoms (flares). Stop or delay damage to joints and organs. Reduce inflammation. […] The main treatment for lupus involves using medications that suppress the immune system. These may include: Hydroxychloroquine, a medicine also used to treat malaria. Corticosteroids (medicines that reduce inflammation and affect the body’s immune system), like prednisone. Biologics (medicines made from living organisms), like belimumab and rituximab.

• #3 Lupus – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789

  Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. […] While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms. […] As an autoimmune disease, lupus occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. […] Some potential triggers include: […] Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. […] People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. […] To reduce the risk of these complications, doctors often recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been under control for at least six months.

• #4 Lupus: Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4875-lupus

  Lupus Treatment, therapy […] Your healthcare provider will suggest treatments for lupus that manage your symptoms. The goal is minimizing damage to your organs and how much lupus affects your day-to-day life. Most people with lupus need a combination of medications to help them prevent flare-ups and lessen their symptom severity during one. You might need: […] Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that can relieve lupus symptoms and slow down how they progress (change or get worse). […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your provider will tell you which type of NSAID will work best for you, and how often you should take it. […] Corticosteroids are prescription medications that reduce inflammation. Prednisone is a common corticosteroid providers use to manage lupus. […] Immunosuppressants are medications that hold back your immune system and stop it from being as active. They can help prevent tissue damage and inflammation. […] You might need other medications or treatments to manage specific lupus symptoms you have or other health conditions its causing. For example, you may need treatment for anemia, high blood pressure (hypertension) or osteoporosis if lupus causes those issues. […] Theres currently no cure for lupus. Your healthcare provider will help you find a combination of treatments to manage your symptoms and hopefully put lupus into remission (long periods of time with no symptoms or flare-ups).

• #5 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor. […] As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages. The medications most commonly used to control lupus include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs may include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.

• #6 Medications Used to Treat Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus

  Because lupus can cause a lot of different health problems, there are many different kinds of medicines that can treat it. You and your doctors can work together to find the right combination of medicines for you. […] Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a type of antimalarial medicine. Antimalarials work by reducing autoantibodies (proteins in the blood that attack healthy cells and tissues). Doctors use antimalarials to treat malaria, but these medicines can also treat lupus by: […] Most people with lupus take hydroxychloroquine throughout their lives. It helps control lupus symptoms with very few side effects. […] Hydroxychloroquine may also help prevent blood clots and organ damage from lupus. It usually takes 1 to 3 months to start working. […] Steroids can help reduce pain and inflammation. They work by decreasing the activity of overactive white blood cells. This prevents them from causing inflammation that leads to lupus symptoms.

• #7 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often depends on disease severity and disease manifestations, although hydroxychloroquine has a central role for long-term treatment in all SLE patients. The LUMINA (Lupus in Minorities: Nature versus Nurture) study and other trials have offered evidence of a decrease in flares and prolonged life in patients given hydroxychloroquine, making it the cornerstone of SLE management. […] In general, cutaneous manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, and serositis represent milder disease, which may wax and wane with disease activity. These are often controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or low-potency immunosuppressive medications beyond hydroxychloroquine and/or short courses of corticosteroids. More prolonged steroid use is generally reserved for patients with involvement of vital organs. For example, central nervous system involvement and diffuse proliferative kidney disease must be recognized as more severe disease manifestations, and these are often treated with more aggressive immunosuppression.

• #8 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Hydroxychloroquine use is encouraged in all patients with lupus because it reduces the risk of disease flares by 20-40%. […] It reduces the risk of accrued organ damage, and further HCQ use has been associated with reduced damage progression. […] Studies have shown that HCQ can significantly reduce risk of kidney disease progression and thrombosis/cardiovascular disease, and prolong survival in patients with lupus. […] The monoclonal antibody belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulatorspecific inhibitor, has been found to reduce disease activity and possibly decrease the number of severe flares and steroid use in patients with SLE when used in combination with standard therapy. […] In 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of belimumab in combination with standard therapies (including steroids, nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS; eg, HCQ, azathioprine, methotrexate) to treat active autoantibody-positive SLE.

• #9 Current Treatment Approach, Emerging Therapies and New Horizons in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1496

  Hydroxychloroquine is now considered the standard-of-care treatment of SLE, as it was shown to significantly reduce mortality in all ethnic groups. It is utilized in the treatment of discoid lupus and SLE. Hydroxychloroquine modulates the immune response by modulating macrophage and other antigen presenting cell function and by blocking Toll-like receptors on dendritic cells. Hydroxychloroquine prevents lupus flares, increases survival in all population groups and decreases lupus activity in pregnancy without adverse effects on the fetus. Hydroxychloroquine may also prevent irreversible organ damage, bone destruction and thrombosis. Hydroxychloroquine reduces disease activity in SLE, improves lipid levels and prevents subclinical atherosclerosis. […] Glucocorticoids are used in SLE at every dose level, including large, medium and small doses. Large bolus doses may be used as needed in cases of disease flare or target organ involvement and small doses as maintenance treatment to reduce disease activity and disease burden accumulation.

• #10 Medications Used to Treat Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus

  Because lupus can cause a lot of different health problems, there are many different kinds of medicines that can treat it. You and your doctors can work together to find the right combination of medicines for you. […] Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a type of antimalarial medicine. Antimalarials work by reducing autoantibodies (proteins in the blood that attack healthy cells and tissues). Doctors use antimalarials to treat malaria, but these medicines can also treat lupus by: […] Most people with lupus take hydroxychloroquine throughout their lives. It helps control lupus symptoms with very few side effects. […] Hydroxychloroquine may also help prevent blood clots and organ damage from lupus. It usually takes 1 to 3 months to start working. […] Steroids can help reduce pain and inflammation. They work by decreasing the activity of overactive white blood cells. This prevents them from causing inflammation that leads to lupus symptoms.

• #11 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Hydroxychloroquine use is encouraged in all patients with lupus because it reduces the risk of disease flares by 20-40%. […] It reduces the risk of accrued organ damage, and further HCQ use has been associated with reduced damage progression. […] Studies have shown that HCQ can significantly reduce risk of kidney disease progression and thrombosis/cardiovascular disease, and prolong survival in patients with lupus. […] The monoclonal antibody belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulatorspecific inhibitor, has been found to reduce disease activity and possibly decrease the number of severe flares and steroid use in patients with SLE when used in combination with standard therapy. […] In 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of belimumab in combination with standard therapies (including steroids, nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS; eg, HCQ, azathioprine, methotrexate) to treat active autoantibody-positive SLE.

• #12 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor. […] As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages. The medications most commonly used to control lupus include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs may include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.

• #13 Medications Used to Treat Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus

  Prednisone is the most common steroid that doctors use to treat lupus. […] NSAIDs can also reduce pain and inflammation, but theyre not steroids. They work by reducing chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. […] Common blood thinners for lupus include: […] Immunosuppressives help stop your immune system from attacking your bodys healthy tissue. Your doctor may recommend immunosuppressives if youre having serious lupus symptoms that affect your organs, like your brain, kidneys, heart, or lungs. […] Each of these immunosuppressive medicines works differently and treats different lupus symptoms. […] Blood thinners (also called anticoagulants) can help prevent blood clots. If youve had blood clots or you have antiphospholipid antibodies, your doctor may recommend blood thinners to lower your risk of clots.

• #14 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor. […] As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages. The medications most commonly used to control lupus include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs may include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.

• #15 Lupus Treatment : Medications used to treat Lupus : Johns Hopkins

  https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/lupus-medications/

  The following drugs are commonly used to treat the inflammation and symptoms of lupus. Since lupus manifests in different ways in different people, treatment regimens differ from patient to patient. […] NSAIDs These anti-inflammatory medications relieve some lupus symptoms by reducing the inflammation responsible for the stiffness and discomfort in your muscle, joints, and other tissues. […] Anti-Malarial Drugs Plaquenil and other anti-malarials are the key to controlling lupus long term, and some lupus patients may be on Plaquenil for the rest of their lives. […] Steroids Synthetic cortisone medications are some of the most effective treatments for reducing the swelling, warmth, pain, and tenderness associated with the inflammation of lupus. […] Immunosuppressive Medications Immunosuppressives are medications that help suppress the immune system. […] DHEA DHEA is a mild male hormone that is effective in treating some of the symptoms of mild to moderate lupus, including hair loss (alopecia), joint pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction (e.g., difficulty thinking, memory loss, distractibility, difficulty in multitasking).

• #16 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Evidence suggests a relative undertreatment of SLE patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), because the extent of lupus activity may be underestimated. […] Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE. […] EULAR recommends that treatment in SLE aim at remission, or at low disease activity in all organ systems if remission cannot be achieved. Specific medication recommendations include the following: Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE. […] Subsequent initiation of immunosuppressive drugs facilitates more rapid tapering of glucocorticoids and may prevent disease flares. The choice of agent depends on prevailing disease manifestation(s), patient age and childbearing potential, safety concerns, and cost. […] EULAR recommendations regarding immunosuppressive drugs for SLE are as follows: Consider methotrexate and azathioprine in patients with poor symptom control with glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine, or when hydroxychloroquine alone is unlikely to be sufficient.

• #17 Current Treatment Approach, Emerging Therapies and New Horizons in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1496

  Hydroxychloroquine is now considered the standard-of-care treatment of SLE, as it was shown to significantly reduce mortality in all ethnic groups. It is utilized in the treatment of discoid lupus and SLE. Hydroxychloroquine modulates the immune response by modulating macrophage and other antigen presenting cell function and by blocking Toll-like receptors on dendritic cells. Hydroxychloroquine prevents lupus flares, increases survival in all population groups and decreases lupus activity in pregnancy without adverse effects on the fetus. Hydroxychloroquine may also prevent irreversible organ damage, bone destruction and thrombosis. Hydroxychloroquine reduces disease activity in SLE, improves lipid levels and prevents subclinical atherosclerosis. […] Glucocorticoids are used in SLE at every dose level, including large, medium and small doses. Large bolus doses may be used as needed in cases of disease flare or target organ involvement and small doses as maintenance treatment to reduce disease activity and disease burden accumulation.

• #18 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Antimalarial drugs. Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), affect the immune system and can help decrease the risk of lupus flares. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye. Regular eye exams are recommended when taking these medications. […] Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus. High doses of steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are often used to control serious disease that involves the kidneys and brain. Side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. […] Immunosuppressants. Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) and leflunomide (Arava). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

• #19 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Antimalarial drugs. Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), affect the immune system and can help decrease the risk of lupus flares. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye. Regular eye exams are recommended when taking these medications. […] Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus. High doses of steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are often used to control serious disease that involves the kidneys and brain. Side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. […] Immunosuppressants. Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) and leflunomide (Arava). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

• #20 Current treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinician’s perspective

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10261264/

  The potency of GCs in dampening inflammation is associated with a broad spectrum of effects on the immune system; GCs reduce the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, inhibit leucocyte traffic, and their access to inflammation sites, and interfere with leucocyte, fibroblast, and endothelial cell functions. […] Glucocorticoids can rapidly control SLE activity and remain the cornerstone of SLE therapy. […] Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressants target different B-cell populations. […] The biologics approved for treating patients with SLE are belimumab and anifrolumab. […] Biologics have become an alternative and are being assessed in clinical trials in patients whose disease is not sufficiently controlled by conventional drugs. […] The emergence of low-molecular-weight compounds in the treatment armamentarium allowed researchers to interfere directly with the intracellular cytokine signaling pathways.

• #21 Medications Used to Treat Lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus

  Prednisone is the most common steroid that doctors use to treat lupus. […] NSAIDs can also reduce pain and inflammation, but theyre not steroids. They work by reducing chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. […] Common blood thinners for lupus include: […] Immunosuppressives help stop your immune system from attacking your bodys healthy tissue. Your doctor may recommend immunosuppressives if youre having serious lupus symptoms that affect your organs, like your brain, kidneys, heart, or lungs. […] Each of these immunosuppressive medicines works differently and treats different lupus symptoms. […] Blood thinners (also called anticoagulants) can help prevent blood clots. If youve had blood clots or you have antiphospholipid antibodies, your doctor may recommend blood thinners to lower your risk of clots.

• #22 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Methotrexate (MTX): Often used in rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug can help in the treatment of lupus arthritis and skin rashes. […] Azathioprine (Imuran): Useful for blood system involvement and kidney disease. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept): Used primarily for kidney disease and for other more serious manifestations of lupus. […] Cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan): Used primarily to treat central nervous system and kidney involvement and occasionally lung disease. […] High doses of intra-venous (IV or pulse corticosteroids): May be used monthly in severe flares; typically given for 6 months and then converted to oral prednisone. […] Rituximab: Used off-label for lupus kidney disease and brain disease and for other severe organ system involvement. […] Belimumab (Benlysta): Newest drug approved by the FDA for lupus, which should be used after other medications have been tried and failed to achieve benefit.

• #23 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Methotrexate (MTX): Often used in rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug can help in the treatment of lupus arthritis and skin rashes. […] Azathioprine (Imuran): Useful for blood system involvement and kidney disease. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept): Used primarily for kidney disease and for other more serious manifestations of lupus. […] Cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan): Used primarily to treat central nervous system and kidney involvement and occasionally lung disease. […] High doses of intra-venous (IV or pulse corticosteroids): May be used monthly in severe flares; typically given for 6 months and then converted to oral prednisone. […] Rituximab: Used off-label for lupus kidney disease and brain disease and for other severe organ system involvement. […] Belimumab (Benlysta): Newest drug approved by the FDA for lupus, which should be used after other medications have been tried and failed to achieve benefit.

• #24 Current Treatment Approach, Emerging Therapies and New Horizons in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1496

  Azathioprine is administered in SLE as a conventional immunosuppressive agent that aids in steroid sparing. […] Methotrexate may be applied as an immunosuppressive agent, which contributes to steroid sparing. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) inhibits inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of guanine. […] Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating drug which acts on DNA and leads to the death of activated lymphocytes while simultaneously having a protective effect on glomeruli. […] Calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and cyclosporine have been applied as immunosuppressives in organ transplantation. […] Therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a product which contains human multi-specific immunoglobulin G. IVIg has been used successfully in lupus patients leading to a reduction in disease activity.

• #25 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Methotrexate (MTX): Often used in rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug can help in the treatment of lupus arthritis and skin rashes. […] Azathioprine (Imuran): Useful for blood system involvement and kidney disease. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept): Used primarily for kidney disease and for other more serious manifestations of lupus. […] Cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan): Used primarily to treat central nervous system and kidney involvement and occasionally lung disease. […] High doses of intra-venous (IV or pulse corticosteroids): May be used monthly in severe flares; typically given for 6 months and then converted to oral prednisone. […] Rituximab: Used off-label for lupus kidney disease and brain disease and for other severe organ system involvement. […] Belimumab (Benlysta): Newest drug approved by the FDA for lupus, which should be used after other medications have been tried and failed to achieve benefit.

• #26 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Methotrexate (MTX): Often used in rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug can help in the treatment of lupus arthritis and skin rashes. […] Azathioprine (Imuran): Useful for blood system involvement and kidney disease. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept): Used primarily for kidney disease and for other more serious manifestations of lupus. […] Cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan): Used primarily to treat central nervous system and kidney involvement and occasionally lung disease. […] High doses of intra-venous (IV or pulse corticosteroids): May be used monthly in severe flares; typically given for 6 months and then converted to oral prednisone. […] Rituximab: Used off-label for lupus kidney disease and brain disease and for other severe organ system involvement. […] Belimumab (Benlysta): Newest drug approved by the FDA for lupus, which should be used after other medications have been tried and failed to achieve benefit.

• #27 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Antimalarial drugs. Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), affect the immune system and can help decrease the risk of lupus flares. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye. Regular eye exams are recommended when taking these medications. […] Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus. High doses of steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are often used to control serious disease that involves the kidneys and brain. Side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. […] Immunosuppressants. Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) and leflunomide (Arava). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

• #28 Current Treatment Approach, Emerging Therapies and New Horizons in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1496

  Azathioprine is administered in SLE as a conventional immunosuppressive agent that aids in steroid sparing. […] Methotrexate may be applied as an immunosuppressive agent, which contributes to steroid sparing. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) inhibits inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of guanine. […] Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating drug which acts on DNA and leads to the death of activated lymphocytes while simultaneously having a protective effect on glomeruli. […] Calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and cyclosporine have been applied as immunosuppressives in organ transplantation. […] Therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a product which contains human multi-specific immunoglobulin G. IVIg has been used successfully in lupus patients leading to a reduction in disease activity.

• #29 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Antimalarial drugs. Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), affect the immune system and can help decrease the risk of lupus flares. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye. Regular eye exams are recommended when taking these medications. […] Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus. High doses of steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are often used to control serious disease that involves the kidneys and brain. Side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. […] Immunosuppressants. Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) and leflunomide (Arava). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

• #30 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Antimalarial drugs. Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), affect the immune system and can help decrease the risk of lupus flares. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye. Regular eye exams are recommended when taking these medications. […] Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus. High doses of steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are often used to control serious disease that involves the kidneys and brain. Side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy. […] Immunosuppressants. Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) and leflunomide (Arava). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

• #31 New Lupus Treatments Offer a Better Chance for Remission > News > Yale Medicine

  https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-lupus-treatments

  One of the most difficult things about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, is that people who have it dont always realize itthey know somethings not right, but theyre not sure what. […] Lupus is difficult to diagnose and treat because its symptoms mimic other conditions, it affects the immune system differently in people, and drugs traditionally used to treat it come with serious side effects. Still, doctors and scientists are determined to find solutions. […] The good news is that there has been progress, thanks to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2021 of two new drugs that treat lupus and lupus nephritis (lupus that involves the kidneys); each has allowed doctors to offer more patients a better chance of remission. […] This research will lead to the development of other drugs, says Joseph Craft, MD, a rheumatologist who cares for patients and directs a Yale School of Medicine laboratory devoted to the understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common type of lupus.

• #32 Current treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinician’s perspective

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10261264/

  The potency of GCs in dampening inflammation is associated with a broad spectrum of effects on the immune system; GCs reduce the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, inhibit leucocyte traffic, and their access to inflammation sites, and interfere with leucocyte, fibroblast, and endothelial cell functions. […] Glucocorticoids can rapidly control SLE activity and remain the cornerstone of SLE therapy. […] Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressants target different B-cell populations. […] The biologics approved for treating patients with SLE are belimumab and anifrolumab. […] Biologics have become an alternative and are being assessed in clinical trials in patients whose disease is not sufficiently controlled by conventional drugs. […] The emergence of low-molecular-weight compounds in the treatment armamentarium allowed researchers to interfere directly with the intracellular cytokine signaling pathways.

• #33 Lupus Treatment Option | BENLYSTA (belimumab)

  https://www.benlysta.com/

  BENLYSTA reduces disease activity* and prevents flares. […] In clinical studies, when added to common lupus medications, BENLYSTA reduced disease activity when compared to those medications alone. BENLYSTA reduced severe lupus flares. […] In clinical trials, people adding BENLYSTA to their treatment plan decreased their risk of severe flares in the first year of use. […] BENLYSTA is a biologic therapy, not a steroid. It doesn’t suppress your entire immune system. BENLYSTA affects an immune process that can lead to inflammation in people with lupus and lupus nephritis. […] Lupus flares can lead to inflammation and organ damage. […] In people with lupus, the immune system attacks the body. Inflammation from a single lupus flare could cause permanent damage to a vital organ. […] BENLYSTA is a prescription medicine used to treat people 5 years of age and older with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or active lupus nephritis (LN) (lupus-related kidney inflammation) who are receiving other lupus medicines. […] The most important information about BENLYSTA Immunosuppressive agents, including BENLYSTA, can cause serious side effects. Some of these may cause death. […] Medicines that affect the immune system, including BENLYSTA, may increase your risk of certain cancers.

• #34 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Hydroxychloroquine use is encouraged in all patients with lupus because it reduces the risk of disease flares by 20-40%. […] It reduces the risk of accrued organ damage, and further HCQ use has been associated with reduced damage progression. […] Studies have shown that HCQ can significantly reduce risk of kidney disease progression and thrombosis/cardiovascular disease, and prolong survival in patients with lupus. […] The monoclonal antibody belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulatorspecific inhibitor, has been found to reduce disease activity and possibly decrease the number of severe flares and steroid use in patients with SLE when used in combination with standard therapy. […] In 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of belimumab in combination with standard therapies (including steroids, nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS; eg, HCQ, azathioprine, methotrexate) to treat active autoantibody-positive SLE.

• #35 Lupus Treatment Options | Lupus Research

  https://www.lupusresearch.org/about-lupus/what-is-lupus/lupus-treatment/

  Lupus Treatment […] Today, doctors have more choices to help patients manage lupus effectively because the range and effectiveness of treatments have increased in recent decades. Current treatments and medications include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which decrease inflammation, are often used to treat people with joint or chest pain, fever and swelling. […] While antimalarial drugs prevent and treat malaria, they’re also useful for lupus. A common antimalarial for lupus, hydroxychloroquine, may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and lung inflammation. […] Corticosteroids are a family of drugs related to cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone. Rapidly suppressing inflammation, corticosteroids are potent drugs with side effects, so doctors will seek the lowest dose to achieve the desired benefit or use them in combination with less potent drugs. […] If your kidneys or central nervous system are affected by lupus, you may need immunosuppressive therapy, which restrains the overactive immune system by blocking the production of immune cells. […] In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein inhibitor, for patients with lupus receiving other standard therapies. […] In July 2017, belimumab was approved by the FDA as a self-injectable (subcutaneous) formulation for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being treated with standard therapy. […] In April 2019, the FDA approved intravenous Benlysta (belimumab) to treat children with lupus who are five years old or above. […] In December of 2020, the FDA approved belimumab as the first-ever treatment specifically indicated for lupus nephritis (LN) in adults. […] On January 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved voclosporin (LUPKYNIS). Voclosporin is the first and only FDA-approved oral medication specifically indicated for the treatment of lupus nephritis. […] In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved anifrolumab-fnia (Saphnelo), a first-in-class type I interferon receptor antagonist indicated for adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). […] In addition to treatments for lupus itself, patients may also take additional medications to treat lupus-related problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or infection.

• #36 Lupus Treatment Options | Lupus Research

  https://www.lupusresearch.org/about-lupus/what-is-lupus/lupus-treatment/

  Lupus Treatment […] Today, doctors have more choices to help patients manage lupus effectively because the range and effectiveness of treatments have increased in recent decades. Current treatments and medications include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which decrease inflammation, are often used to treat people with joint or chest pain, fever and swelling. […] While antimalarial drugs prevent and treat malaria, they’re also useful for lupus. A common antimalarial for lupus, hydroxychloroquine, may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and lung inflammation. […] Corticosteroids are a family of drugs related to cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone. Rapidly suppressing inflammation, corticosteroids are potent drugs with side effects, so doctors will seek the lowest dose to achieve the desired benefit or use them in combination with less potent drugs. […] If your kidneys or central nervous system are affected by lupus, you may need immunosuppressive therapy, which restrains the overactive immune system by blocking the production of immune cells. […] In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein inhibitor, for patients with lupus receiving other standard therapies. […] In July 2017, belimumab was approved by the FDA as a self-injectable (subcutaneous) formulation for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being treated with standard therapy. […] In April 2019, the FDA approved intravenous Benlysta (belimumab) to treat children with lupus who are five years old or above. […] In December of 2020, the FDA approved belimumab as the first-ever treatment specifically indicated for lupus nephritis (LN) in adults. […] On January 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved voclosporin (LUPKYNIS). Voclosporin is the first and only FDA-approved oral medication specifically indicated for the treatment of lupus nephritis. […] In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved anifrolumab-fnia (Saphnelo), a first-in-class type I interferon receptor antagonist indicated for adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). […] In addition to treatments for lupus itself, patients may also take additional medications to treat lupus-related problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or infection.

• #37 New Lupus Treatments Offer a Better Chance for Remission > News > Yale Medicine

  https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-lupus-treatments

  There are now three of these targeted medications: Saphnelo (anifrolumab) approved in August 2021. This monoclonal antibody (a protein that finds and attaches to one type of substance, called a cytokine, in the body) is designed to treat an excess of interferon activation, which plays an essential role in lupus inflammation. […] But it is the targeted treatments that could move the needle on helping more patients reach remission, Dr. Koumpouras explains. With the three most recent medications, weve actually improved the treatment outcomes for patients with SLE, he says. We know that, statistically, patients will do better on these treatments. […] In the last 10 years, we’ve started to understand a lot more about the pathogenesis [the development path] of the disease, and that’s been the major advance, says Dr. Craft. That understanding has led to these new drugs, and it will lead to the development of others.

• #38 New Lupus Treatment Medication: Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) | Arthritis Foundation

  https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/new-drug-approved-for-lupus

  Anifrolumab is approved for people with moderate-to-severe SLE who are using other medications for lupus, like corticosteroids (commonly called steroids). It is delivered by infusion, and trials for injectable forms that can be administered by the patient are underway. […] The investigators who participated in the trials were impressed by the improvement in skin disease seen in some patients, and that bore out in the data that came out of the trials. So lupus patients with significant skin involvement might be particularly appropriate candidates for trying anifrolumab, Dr. Crow says. […] Another benefit: It may help reduce the use of more toxic drugs, like corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) or azathioprine. The treatments for lupus are not ideal. Particularly the use of steroids over long periods of time can cause damage. And some of the drugs, like azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, do have significant toxicity, Dr. Crow says. The trials showed that patients using anifrolumab were able to reduce their use of steroids, which are effective in controlling disease, but patients hate them because they have so many long-term side effects that can be very damaging, she adds.

• #39 Lupus Treatment Options | Lupus Research

  https://www.lupusresearch.org/about-lupus/what-is-lupus/lupus-treatment/

  Lupus Treatment […] Today, doctors have more choices to help patients manage lupus effectively because the range and effectiveness of treatments have increased in recent decades. Current treatments and medications include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which decrease inflammation, are often used to treat people with joint or chest pain, fever and swelling. […] While antimalarial drugs prevent and treat malaria, they’re also useful for lupus. A common antimalarial for lupus, hydroxychloroquine, may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and lung inflammation. […] Corticosteroids are a family of drugs related to cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone. Rapidly suppressing inflammation, corticosteroids are potent drugs with side effects, so doctors will seek the lowest dose to achieve the desired benefit or use them in combination with less potent drugs. […] If your kidneys or central nervous system are affected by lupus, you may need immunosuppressive therapy, which restrains the overactive immune system by blocking the production of immune cells. […] In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein inhibitor, for patients with lupus receiving other standard therapies. […] In July 2017, belimumab was approved by the FDA as a self-injectable (subcutaneous) formulation for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being treated with standard therapy. […] In April 2019, the FDA approved intravenous Benlysta (belimumab) to treat children with lupus who are five years old or above. […] In December of 2020, the FDA approved belimumab as the first-ever treatment specifically indicated for lupus nephritis (LN) in adults. […] On January 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved voclosporin (LUPKYNIS). Voclosporin is the first and only FDA-approved oral medication specifically indicated for the treatment of lupus nephritis. […] In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved anifrolumab-fnia (Saphnelo), a first-in-class type I interferon receptor antagonist indicated for adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). […] In addition to treatments for lupus itself, patients may also take additional medications to treat lupus-related problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or infection.

• #40 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressant with efficacy in renal and non-renal SLE (but not in neuropsychiatric lupus), but its teratogenic potential and higher cost limit its recommendation in women of reproductive age with non-renal manifestations. […] Cyclophosphamide can be considered in organ-threatening disease (especially renal, cardiopulmonary, or neuropsychiatric) and as rescue therapy in patients with nonmajor organ manifestations refractory to other agents. […] EULAR recommendations regarding biologic agents for SLE are as follows: Consider belimumab in patients with extrarenal disease inadequately controlled by first-line treatments. […] Off-label use of rituximab may be considered in patients with severe renal or extrarenal (mainly hematologic and neuropsychiatric) disease refractory to multiple other agents.

• #41 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Methotrexate (MTX): Often used in rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug can help in the treatment of lupus arthritis and skin rashes. […] Azathioprine (Imuran): Useful for blood system involvement and kidney disease. […] Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept): Used primarily for kidney disease and for other more serious manifestations of lupus. […] Cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan): Used primarily to treat central nervous system and kidney involvement and occasionally lung disease. […] High doses of intra-venous (IV or pulse corticosteroids): May be used monthly in severe flares; typically given for 6 months and then converted to oral prednisone. […] Rituximab: Used off-label for lupus kidney disease and brain disease and for other severe organ system involvement. […] Belimumab (Benlysta): Newest drug approved by the FDA for lupus, which should be used after other medications have been tried and failed to achieve benefit.

• #42 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Biologics. A different type of medication, belimumab (Benlysta) administered intravenously, also reduces lupus symptoms in some people. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea and infections. Rarely, worsening of depression can occur. […] In clinical trials, voclosporin has been shown to be effective in treating lupus. […] Other potential drugs to treat lupus are currently being studied, including abatacept (Orencia), anifrolumab and others.

• #43 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often depends on disease severity and disease manifestations, although hydroxychloroquine has a central role for long-term treatment in all SLE patients. The LUMINA (Lupus in Minorities: Nature versus Nurture) study and other trials have offered evidence of a decrease in flares and prolonged life in patients given hydroxychloroquine, making it the cornerstone of SLE management. […] In general, cutaneous manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, and serositis represent milder disease, which may wax and wane with disease activity. These are often controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or low-potency immunosuppressive medications beyond hydroxychloroquine and/or short courses of corticosteroids. More prolonged steroid use is generally reserved for patients with involvement of vital organs. For example, central nervous system involvement and diffuse proliferative kidney disease must be recognized as more severe disease manifestations, and these are often treated with more aggressive immunosuppression.

• #44 Lupus Treatment | ColumbiaDoctors

  https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/lupus/treatment

  There is no cure for lupus, but for most people treatment can reduce symptoms and protect against serious organ damage. Medications are an important part of managing lupus. Your physician will determine the best medication combination for you. […] Treatments for mild lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ), Topical corticosteroids, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Low-dose corticosteroids prednisone 10 mg (always try to avoid), Health maintenance, preventative measures, Rest, Avoid sun exposure. […] Treatments for moderate lupus when it involves arthritis with moderate loss of function include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 200-400 mg, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Prednisone 10 mg, Methotrexate, Azathioprine. […] Treatments for severe lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 400 mg, Prednisone high dose = 1 mg/kg, Cyclophosphamide intravenous, Mycophenolate Mofetil, brand Cellcept.

• #45 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often depends on disease severity and disease manifestations, although hydroxychloroquine has a central role for long-term treatment in all SLE patients. The LUMINA (Lupus in Minorities: Nature versus Nurture) study and other trials have offered evidence of a decrease in flares and prolonged life in patients given hydroxychloroquine, making it the cornerstone of SLE management. […] In general, cutaneous manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, and serositis represent milder disease, which may wax and wane with disease activity. These are often controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or low-potency immunosuppressive medications beyond hydroxychloroquine and/or short courses of corticosteroids. More prolonged steroid use is generally reserved for patients with involvement of vital organs. For example, central nervous system involvement and diffuse proliferative kidney disease must be recognized as more severe disease manifestations, and these are often treated with more aggressive immunosuppression.

• #46 Lupus Treatment | ColumbiaDoctors

  https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/lupus/treatment

  There is no cure for lupus, but for most people treatment can reduce symptoms and protect against serious organ damage. Medications are an important part of managing lupus. Your physician will determine the best medication combination for you. […] Treatments for mild lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ), Topical corticosteroids, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Low-dose corticosteroids prednisone 10 mg (always try to avoid), Health maintenance, preventative measures, Rest, Avoid sun exposure. […] Treatments for moderate lupus when it involves arthritis with moderate loss of function include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 200-400 mg, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Prednisone 10 mg, Methotrexate, Azathioprine. […] Treatments for severe lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 400 mg, Prednisone high dose = 1 mg/kg, Cyclophosphamide intravenous, Mycophenolate Mofetil, brand Cellcept.

• #47 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Evidence suggests a relative undertreatment of SLE patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), because the extent of lupus activity may be underestimated. […] Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE. […] EULAR recommends that treatment in SLE aim at remission, or at low disease activity in all organ systems if remission cannot be achieved. Specific medication recommendations include the following: Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE. […] Subsequent initiation of immunosuppressive drugs facilitates more rapid tapering of glucocorticoids and may prevent disease flares. The choice of agent depends on prevailing disease manifestation(s), patient age and childbearing potential, safety concerns, and cost. […] EULAR recommendations regarding immunosuppressive drugs for SLE are as follows: Consider methotrexate and azathioprine in patients with poor symptom control with glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine, or when hydroxychloroquine alone is unlikely to be sufficient.

• #48 Lupus Treatment | ColumbiaDoctors

  https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/lupus/treatment

  There is no cure for lupus, but for most people treatment can reduce symptoms and protect against serious organ damage. Medications are an important part of managing lupus. Your physician will determine the best medication combination for you. […] Treatments for mild lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ), Topical corticosteroids, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Low-dose corticosteroids prednisone 10 mg (always try to avoid), Health maintenance, preventative measures, Rest, Avoid sun exposure. […] Treatments for moderate lupus when it involves arthritis with moderate loss of function include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 200-400 mg, Anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen), Prednisone 10 mg, Methotrexate, Azathioprine. […] Treatments for severe lupus include: Antimalarial drugs (HCQ): 400 mg, Prednisone high dose = 1 mg/kg, Cyclophosphamide intravenous, Mycophenolate Mofetil, brand Cellcept.

• #49 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Aspirin/Warfarin (Coumadin, blood thinners): Used in patients with a tendency for blood clots (anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome) to prevent strokes, leg vein and lung blood clots. […] These are complex treatments, all of which require regular blood testing for disease monitoring to ensure their safety and efficacy for lupus patients. Lupus patients should be seen by a lupus expert or rheumatologist every 3-4 months to assess disease activity and to help control any ongoing symptoms and monitor for drug side-effects. Our hope is to achieve control of the disease (remission) with a goal of reducing disability and improving quality of life for lupus patients. […] Other important components of lupus therapy include supportive care and counseling, treatment for depression and anxiety, use of sunscreens to protect against flares, treatment for associated fibromyalgia, and pain management.

• #50 Lupus Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment | HSS Rheumatology

  https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_lupus.asp

  About one-third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (but not those with cutaneous, drug-induced, or neonatal lupus) develop kidney disease, known as lupus nephritis. […] Many cases of lupus involving the kidney are mild, and treatments have significantly improved, but up to 10% of patients with lupus nephritis can develop kidney failure, with a need for dialysis and, possibly, a kidney transplant.

• #51 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Pivotal and New Lupus Therapies, Emergency Department Management

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-treatment

  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressant with efficacy in renal and non-renal SLE (but not in neuropsychiatric lupus), but its teratogenic potential and higher cost limit its recommendation in women of reproductive age with non-renal manifestations. […] Cyclophosphamide can be considered in organ-threatening disease (especially renal, cardiopulmonary, or neuropsychiatric) and as rescue therapy in patients with nonmajor organ manifestations refractory to other agents. […] EULAR recommendations regarding biologic agents for SLE are as follows: Consider belimumab in patients with extrarenal disease inadequately controlled by first-line treatments. […] Off-label use of rituximab may be considered in patients with severe renal or extrarenal (mainly hematologic and neuropsychiatric) disease refractory to multiple other agents.

• #52 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/0400/systemic-lupus-erythematosus.html

  Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE because it prevents flare-ups, organ damage, and thrombosis and increases long-term survival. […] Glucocorticoids provide rapid symptom relief in acute disease and during flare-ups. Prolonged glucocorticoid use can have detrimental effects, including irreversible organ damage. […] Mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide are the immunosuppressive agents of choice for induction therapy for lupus nephritis. Mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine may be used for maintenance therapy. […] Hydroxychloroquine should be continued during pregnancy because it has been shown to control disease activity. It may reduce pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and cardiac neonatal lupus. […] Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) is an immunoglobulin gamma 1 kappa monoclonal antibody antagonist of the type 1 interferon receptor and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021 for the treatment of moderate and severe SLE. […] Patients with SLE can use most contraceptive methods, preferably long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices.

• #53 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/systemic-rheumatic-diseases/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle

  Treatment includes induction therapy to control acute severe manifestations followed by maintenance therapy. Corticosteroids are first-line therapy. […] The complication for which there is the strongest evidence for treatment efficacy is lupus nephritis. […] Adding belimumab in a dose of 10 mg/kg IV monthly to corticosteroids and mycophenolate or corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide has been shown to lead to a better renal response and complete renal response at 6 months compared to corticosteroids and mycophenolate or corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide alone, especially if extrarenal manifestations are active. […] Chronic disease should be treated with the lowest dose of corticosteroids (eg, oral prednisone 7.5 mg once a day or its equivalent) and other medications that control inflammation (eg, antimalarials, immunosuppressants [mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine]) to maintain remission.

• #54 A New Era for the Treatment of Lupus

  https://rheumatology.org/patient-blog/a-new-era-for-the-treatment-of-lupus

  In clinical trials, patients receiving voclosporin were twice as likely to respond favorably to treatment (decreased kidney inflammation) than those who did not receive voclosporin. […] Belimumab was initially approved in March of 2011 for the treatment of lupus (after decades without new FDA-approved drugs), and in December of 2020 received a new approval: lupus nephritis. […] Overall, these new drugs provide new hope in the treatment of lupus and lupus nephritis and the pipeline of new treatments for lupus remains strong. We may be entering a new era in the treatment of lupus.

• #55 Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) | Kaiser Permanente

  https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.lupus-systemic-lupus-erythematosus.hw123404

  If your lupus causes or threatens organ damage, is life-threatening, or has a serious impact on your quality of life, you may also need to take: Corticosteroids in higher doses. These may be in pills or through a vein in your arm (I.V.). Medicine that suppresses your immune system (immunosuppressants). […] Some people get serious kidney disease that can’t be controlled with medicine. They may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

• #56 A breakthrough for lupus treatment? Study explores CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/a-breakthrough-for-lupus-treatment-study-explores-car-t-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-disease/2024/05

  People with lupus know theres no cure for their condition. Treatment options usually include medications to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms, but nothing to effectively control the disease progression. […] However, researchers at UC Davis Health want to change that, as they are striving to improve the quality of life for people living with lupus through a novel clinical trial evaluating CAR T-cell therapy as a treatment for the autoimmune disease. […] Lupus can be treated with immunosuppressive medications, but the therapy options are limited with variable efficacy and disease control, explained Gaurav Gulati, medical director of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and principal investigator of the study. […] A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests CAR T-cell therapy could become a highly effective treatment for SLE patients who do not respond to current lupus therapeutics.

• #57 A breakthrough for lupus treatment? Study explores CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/a-breakthrough-for-lupus-treatment-study-explores-car-t-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-disease/2024/05

  People with lupus know theres no cure for their condition. Treatment options usually include medications to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms, but nothing to effectively control the disease progression. […] However, researchers at UC Davis Health want to change that, as they are striving to improve the quality of life for people living with lupus through a novel clinical trial evaluating CAR T-cell therapy as a treatment for the autoimmune disease. […] Lupus can be treated with immunosuppressive medications, but the therapy options are limited with variable efficacy and disease control, explained Gaurav Gulati, medical director of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and principal investigator of the study. […] A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests CAR T-cell therapy could become a highly effective treatment for SLE patients who do not respond to current lupus therapeutics.

• #58 ‘Exciting’ new lupus treatment could end need for lifelong medication | Medical research | The Guardian

  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/nov/08/exciting-new-lupus-treatment-could-end-need-for-lifelong-medication

  Doctors are hailing a groundbreaking new treatment for lupus that genetically modifies a patients cells to fight the autoimmune disease and could end the need for lifelong medication. […] In the UK, three patients have received CAR T-cell therapy for the most serious form of lupus, which can be life-threatening and cause damage to the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys. […] Prof Ben Parker, a consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said he believed the breakthrough could revolutionise treatment for lupus patients, and might lead to a cure for the disease. […] Lupus is a disease that requires lifelong medication, but this therapy has the potential to change that, which is incredibly exciting. […] Doctors hope CAR T-cell therapy could correct the underlying defect in lupus and potentially cure those with the most serious form of the disease.

• #59 A breakthrough for lupus treatment? Study explores CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/a-breakthrough-for-lupus-treatment-study-explores-car-t-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-disease/2024/05

  Researchers were able to eliminate or reduce symptoms and disease biomarkers with a single infusion of CAR T cells designed to target B cells, the immune cells that are key to driving autoimmunity. […] Our primary goal for this phase of the trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the single dose infusion of the CAR T-cell therapy. If successful, this one-time treatment will correct the underlying defect and improve the quality of life for these patients. […] The new, industry-funded clinical trial with Cabaletta Bio is evaluating CABA-201, an investigational therapy in patients with either SLE or LN who have active disease. […] CABA-201 is a chimeric antigen receptor CAR T-cell therapy. […] The trial will isolate T cells in the blood and researchers will genetically modify, or change, the T cells by putting in a code to add the CAR.

• #60 A breakthrough for lupus treatment? Study explores CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/a-breakthrough-for-lupus-treatment-study-explores-car-t-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-disease/2024/05

  Once the T-cells are modified, or changed, they are supported to increase in number to produce a dose of CABA-201 cells. The CABA-201 cells are infused into the participants body, where they attack the B cells, eliminating the bad B cells and potentially enabling healthy B cells to repopulate in the body. […] Our primary goal for this phase of the trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the single dose infusion of the CAR T-cell therapy, noted Gulati. If successful, this one-time treatment will correct the underlying defect and improve the quality of life for these patients.

• #61 A breakthrough for lupus treatment? Study explores CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/a-breakthrough-for-lupus-treatment-study-explores-car-t-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-disease/2024/05

  Researchers were able to eliminate or reduce symptoms and disease biomarkers with a single infusion of CAR T cells designed to target B cells, the immune cells that are key to driving autoimmunity. […] Our primary goal for this phase of the trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the single dose infusion of the CAR T-cell therapy. If successful, this one-time treatment will correct the underlying defect and improve the quality of life for these patients. […] The new, industry-funded clinical trial with Cabaletta Bio is evaluating CABA-201, an investigational therapy in patients with either SLE or LN who have active disease. […] CABA-201 is a chimeric antigen receptor CAR T-cell therapy. […] The trial will isolate T cells in the blood and researchers will genetically modify, or change, the T cells by putting in a code to add the CAR.

• #62 ‘Exciting’ new lupus treatment could end need for lifelong medication | Medical research | The Guardian

  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/nov/08/exciting-new-lupus-treatment-could-end-need-for-lifelong-medication

  Doctors are hailing a groundbreaking new treatment for lupus that genetically modifies a patients cells to fight the autoimmune disease and could end the need for lifelong medication. […] In the UK, three patients have received CAR T-cell therapy for the most serious form of lupus, which can be life-threatening and cause damage to the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys. […] Prof Ben Parker, a consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said he believed the breakthrough could revolutionise treatment for lupus patients, and might lead to a cure for the disease. […] Lupus is a disease that requires lifelong medication, but this therapy has the potential to change that, which is incredibly exciting. […] Doctors hope CAR T-cell therapy could correct the underlying defect in lupus and potentially cure those with the most serious form of the disease.

• #63 Small Study Finds Promising Treatment for Lupus – NewYork-Presbyterian – Rheumatology

  https://healthmatters.nyp.org/small-study-finds-promising-treatment-for-lupus/

  Using CAR-T therapy, scientists discovered a potentially groundbreaking treatment that helped five patients with severe lupus achieve remission. […] In a new study published in Nature Medicine, scientists found that five patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) went into remission after receiving CAR-T, a type of immunotherapy in which a patients own T cells are modified to attack harmful cells. […] The data in the study are promising, and the science behind it is compelling, says Dr. Anca Askanase, a rheumatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and founder and director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. […] Currently, there is no cure for lupus. […] In the last two years, three new medications were approved to treat lupus, two for kidney lupus and one for non-kidney lupus.

• #64 How is Lupus Disease Treated with Stem Cell? | GenCell

  https://www.gencell.com.ua/en/lupus-disease

  With stem cell therapy, the progression of LUPUS disease can be slowed down and regressed, and even stopped completely. The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age, the duration of the disease and the patient’s condition. […] The treatment of LUPUS disease with stem cells is recognized as a new method that scientists are working on. […] Stem cells have the ability to turn into the cells of damaged organs when they touch the damaged organs, and that being the case, they are used in the treatment of Lupus disease. […] The treatment protocol is precisely adjusted according to the patient’s condition and a different protocol may be applied for each patient. […] The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age and the duration of the disease. If the disease has severely progressed, stem cell therapy may need to be repeated more than once. 99% success was achieved in the regression, cessation or complete treatment of the disease. However, 60% of the patients had to repeat the treatment within one year.

• #65 How is Lupus Disease Treated with Stem Cell? | GenCell

  https://www.gencell.com.ua/en/lupus-disease

  With stem cell therapy, the progression of LUPUS disease can be slowed down and regressed, and even stopped completely. The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age, the duration of the disease and the patient’s condition. […] The treatment of LUPUS disease with stem cells is recognized as a new method that scientists are working on. […] Stem cells have the ability to turn into the cells of damaged organs when they touch the damaged organs, and that being the case, they are used in the treatment of Lupus disease. […] The treatment protocol is precisely adjusted according to the patient’s condition and a different protocol may be applied for each patient. […] The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age and the duration of the disease. If the disease has severely progressed, stem cell therapy may need to be repeated more than once. 99% success was achieved in the regression, cessation or complete treatment of the disease. However, 60% of the patients had to repeat the treatment within one year.

• #66 Stem Cell Treatment for Lupus: Benefits & Risks (2025)

  https://www.dvcstem.com/post/lupus

  Stem cell therapy may be one of the most promising new dimensions of medicine for the treatment of Lupus, especially for people who do not respond well to more traditional forms of treatment. […] Stem cell therapy for Lupus presents a groundbreaking avenue for those battling Lupus, especially for patients who find traditional treatments ineffective. […] Understanding the potential and limitations of stem cell therapy is crucial for anyone seeking alternatives in their Lupus treatment journey. […] Stem cell therapy offers a promising solution for individuals battling Lupus (SLE), with evidence suggesting it can significantly decelerate disease progression, induce regression, or potentially halt the disease entirely. […] Recent studies and trials have shown significant positive results for the treatment of Lupus with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). […] According to Liang et al., mesenchymal stem cells act as immunomodulators that can suppress the activity of T regulatory cells. MSCs may be associated with the expansion of T regulatory cells, which can suppress the activity of autoreactive T cells, which can play a crucial role in self-tolerance.

• #67 How is Lupus Disease Treated with Stem Cell? | GenCell

  https://www.gencell.com.ua/en/lupus-disease

  With stem cell therapy, the progression of LUPUS disease can be slowed down and regressed, and even stopped completely. The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age, the duration of the disease and the patient’s condition. […] The treatment of LUPUS disease with stem cells is recognized as a new method that scientists are working on. […] Stem cells have the ability to turn into the cells of damaged organs when they touch the damaged organs, and that being the case, they are used in the treatment of Lupus disease. […] The treatment protocol is precisely adjusted according to the patient’s condition and a different protocol may be applied for each patient. […] The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient’s age and the duration of the disease. If the disease has severely progressed, stem cell therapy may need to be repeated more than once. 99% success was achieved in the regression, cessation or complete treatment of the disease. However, 60% of the patients had to repeat the treatment within one year.

• #68 Current treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinician’s perspective

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10261264/

  The potency of GCs in dampening inflammation is associated with a broad spectrum of effects on the immune system; GCs reduce the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, inhibit leucocyte traffic, and their access to inflammation sites, and interfere with leucocyte, fibroblast, and endothelial cell functions. […] Glucocorticoids can rapidly control SLE activity and remain the cornerstone of SLE therapy. […] Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressants target different B-cell populations. […] The biologics approved for treating patients with SLE are belimumab and anifrolumab. […] Biologics have become an alternative and are being assessed in clinical trials in patients whose disease is not sufficiently controlled by conventional drugs. […] The emergence of low-molecular-weight compounds in the treatment armamentarium allowed researchers to interfere directly with the intracellular cytokine signaling pathways.

• #69 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Biologics. A different type of medication, belimumab (Benlysta) administered intravenously, also reduces lupus symptoms in some people. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea and infections. Rarely, worsening of depression can occur. […] In clinical trials, voclosporin has been shown to be effective in treating lupus. […] Other potential drugs to treat lupus are currently being studied, including abatacept (Orencia), anifrolumab and others.

• #70 Advancements in Managing and Treating Lupus | TIME

  https://time.com/6511572/managing-lupus-advances/

  In recent years, several new lupus medications have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. […] One of them is an intravenous drug called belimumab, which blocks or kills the B cells that cause tissue damage in people with lupus. […] Another new drug in lupus treatment is an oral medicine called voclosporin, which is a type of calcineurin inhibitor. […] Yet another drug, anifrolumab, targets a specific type of protein receptor. […] Apart from the FDA-approved treatments mentioned above, there are a handful of new drugs that have performed well in clinical trials. […] One of these is a therapy called obinutuzumab. […] Several other monoclonal antibody therapies have likewise looked promising in early trials. […] Theres a lot more going on in this space. […] In order to know if a drug is working, medical scientists and providers need dependable ways to measure the disease’s activity.

• #71 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Its Treatment, and Future Directions

  https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-its-treatment-and-future-directions

  Current agents help with maintenance and symptomatic treatment of SLE. The unmet need and variability in SLE warrants new targeted therapies to further improve treatment beyond nonspecific immunosuppression. […] Rigerimod is a novel agent under development that modulates the activation of autoreactive T cells by targeting MHC class II receptors, thereby preventing the bodys production of autoantibodies and its resulting immune response. […] Ustekinumab is an IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist previously approved for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohns disease. […] SLE treatment has made significant progress over the past decade; however, the management of SLE is complex, with a multitude of complications and various treatment options.

• #72 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Its Treatment, and Future Directions

  https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-its-treatment-and-future-directions

  Current agents help with maintenance and symptomatic treatment of SLE. The unmet need and variability in SLE warrants new targeted therapies to further improve treatment beyond nonspecific immunosuppression. […] Rigerimod is a novel agent under development that modulates the activation of autoreactive T cells by targeting MHC class II receptors, thereby preventing the bodys production of autoantibodies and its resulting immune response. […] Ustekinumab is an IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist previously approved for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohns disease. […] SLE treatment has made significant progress over the past decade; however, the management of SLE is complex, with a multitude of complications and various treatment options.

• #73 Finding the Right Lupus Treatment Plan for You | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you

  Treatments for lupus generally focus on managing your symptoms, like joint pain or fatigue, reducing inflammation in the body, keeping your immune system from attacking healthy cells (called immunosuppression), preventing or treating lupus flares, limiting damage to your organs, increasing your life span, and taking care of your mental health and well-being. […] Much like lupus is a whole body disease, treatment for lupus should also include keeping your whole body in good health with a healthy diet, exercise regimen, healthy weight, and taking care of your mental health and well-being. […] Your treatment plan may include medicines. There are several different medicines people with lupus may take. They can help reduce lupus activity and symptoms – pain and inflammation, prevent lupus flares (periods when lupus symptoms get worse), help with side effects from other medicines, prevent organ damage, and help you live longer.

• #74 Treatments for Lupus | Arthritis Foundation

  https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/lupus-treatments

  Biologics are genetically engineered proteins that target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. […] Belimumab works by blocking the activity of a protein called B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). […] Anifrolumab is approved to treat people with moderate to severe lupus who are also taking other medications for lupus. […] Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can be effective at relieving pain. […] A physical therapist can teach you exercises to reduce pain and stiffness, strengthen muscles, increase stamina and improve flexibility to help you feel and function better. […] Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you live better with lupus, maintain your daily activities and potentially reduce your risk of lupus flares. […] For many people with lupus, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can worsen the disease or trigger flares.

• #75 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/systemic-rheumatic-diseases/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle

  If combination immunosuppressive therapy is used, patients should be given prophylaxis for opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis jirovecii, and vaccines against common infections. […] Photoprotection is also an important measure to help prevent flares. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) 50 that block both UVA and UVB are recommended.

• #76 Lupus Treatment Options: What is Lupus Treatment? – Forefront Dermatology

  https://forefrontdermatology.com/services/lupus-treatment/

  Along with these medications for Lupus treatment, it is important to get regular exercise to keep your bones strong, focus on eating a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and avoid smoking. You should also see your doctor regularly and practice sun safety by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 55 and protecting your skin from the sun by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat.

• #77 Lupus – diagnosis, treatment, symptoms and causes | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lupus

  You can help control lupus by following these lifestyle measures: Get plenty of rest, avoid and manage stress, get regular moderate exercise without becoming too tired, maintain a healthy diet, quit smoking, avoid drinking too much alcohol, protect your skin from the sun and reduce your exposure to sunlight. […] Living with lupus means finding ways to manage your symptoms and support your overall wellbeing. Here are practical ways to help you manage life with lupus: Learn as much as you can about lupus, work out what triggers your lupus, so you can avoid it, work closely with your doctors, always take your medicines as instructed.

• #78 Finding the Right Lupus Treatment Plan for You | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you

  Complementary and alternative medicine includes healing practices that are different from the conventional medical treatments and medicines you can get from a doctor. […] Lifestyle changes may include things like learning to avoid your lupus triggers, getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating healthy foods. […] Lupus affects more than just your physical health it can impact your mental health, too. […] Unfortunately, all treatments have risks and benefits. Your lupus doctor can help you understand how different treatments might help you. […] Figuring out which treatments you want to try is a personal decision and choosing can be overwhelming! […] A good doctor will make you feel heard and respected. […] You and your lupus doctor will work as a team to come up with a treatment plan.

• #79 Lupus | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | Conditions & Treatments | UR Medicine

  https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/conditions-and-treatments/lupus

  These medications help control lupus symptoms by making the immune system less active so it stops attacking your body. […] These medications block proteins in the immune system that cause inflammation and other lupus symptoms. […] The right combination of different foods can help you feel your best and maintain a healthy weight. […] Physical activity will improve your energy level, decrease stiffness, increase range of movement, elevate mood, and increase bone strength. […] Stress can cause lupus flares. […] Some people with lupus and other autoimmune diseases need medications that can’t be taken at home. […] Our IQ-LUPUS Program, the only one of its kind in the Rochester region, helps you navigate and overcome some of the everyday barriers you might face. […] Lupus Education Day is a free annual event for people with lupus and their families. Topics discussed include managing lupus, new trends in treatment, and the unique challenges of living with lupus. […] Our researchers are studying ways to improve treatment and quality of life of people with lupus.

• #80 Lupus Treatment Options: What is Lupus Treatment? – Forefront Dermatology

  https://forefrontdermatology.com/services/lupus-treatment/

  Along with these medications for Lupus treatment, it is important to get regular exercise to keep your bones strong, focus on eating a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and avoid smoking. You should also see your doctor regularly and practice sun safety by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 55 and protecting your skin from the sun by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat.

• #81 Lupus | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | Conditions & Treatments | UR Medicine

  https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/conditions-and-treatments/lupus

  These medications help control lupus symptoms by making the immune system less active so it stops attacking your body. […] These medications block proteins in the immune system that cause inflammation and other lupus symptoms. […] The right combination of different foods can help you feel your best and maintain a healthy weight. […] Physical activity will improve your energy level, decrease stiffness, increase range of movement, elevate mood, and increase bone strength. […] Stress can cause lupus flares. […] Some people with lupus and other autoimmune diseases need medications that can’t be taken at home. […] Our IQ-LUPUS Program, the only one of its kind in the Rochester region, helps you navigate and overcome some of the everyday barriers you might face. […] Lupus Education Day is a free annual event for people with lupus and their families. Topics discussed include managing lupus, new trends in treatment, and the unique challenges of living with lupus. […] Our researchers are studying ways to improve treatment and quality of life of people with lupus.

• #82 Lupus – diagnosis, treatment, symptoms and causes | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lupus

  You can help control lupus by following these lifestyle measures: Get plenty of rest, avoid and manage stress, get regular moderate exercise without becoming too tired, maintain a healthy diet, quit smoking, avoid drinking too much alcohol, protect your skin from the sun and reduce your exposure to sunlight. […] Living with lupus means finding ways to manage your symptoms and support your overall wellbeing. Here are practical ways to help you manage life with lupus: Learn as much as you can about lupus, work out what triggers your lupus, so you can avoid it, work closely with your doctors, always take your medicines as instructed.

• #83 Lupus diagnosis and treatment

  https://womenshealth.gov/lupus/lupus-diagnosis-and-treatment

  Some people with lupus try creams, ointments, fish oil, or supplements they can buy without a prescription. Some people try homeopathy or see a chiropractor to care for their lupus. Some people with lupus who try these types of treatments say that they help. […] Research studies have not shown any benefits to these types of treatments. And research studies have not been done to see if these treatments hurt people with lupus. […] Work with your doctor to manage lupus. Take your medicine as your doctor tells you to and make healthy choices, such as not smoking, eating healthy foods, getting regular physical activity, and managing your weight. […] Treatments for lupus include medicines that reduce swelling and pain, calm the immune system, and prevent organ damage.

• #84 Natural treatments for lupus: Foods, herbs, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/natural-treatment-for-lupus

  There are several supplements that researchers have examined for their potential positive effects on lupus. […] Curcumin is a compound in turmeric. Research has shown that curcumin has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Curcumin may also have immunomodulatory effects, which means it may help reduce the immune response. […] Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that occur naturally in several foods, particularly fish. They can have anti-inflammatory effects, making them potentially useful for lupus. […] Many people with SLE have vitamin D deficiency. One review suggests that vitamin D deficiency could aggravate SLE or be a potential risk factor for it, and SLE, in turn, may also reduce vitamin D levels. […] Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• #85 Natural treatments for lupus: Foods, herbs, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/natural-treatment-for-lupus

  There are several supplements that researchers have examined for their potential positive effects on lupus. […] Curcumin is a compound in turmeric. Research has shown that curcumin has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Curcumin may also have immunomodulatory effects, which means it may help reduce the immune response. […] Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that occur naturally in several foods, particularly fish. They can have anti-inflammatory effects, making them potentially useful for lupus. […] Many people with SLE have vitamin D deficiency. One review suggests that vitamin D deficiency could aggravate SLE or be a potential risk factor for it, and SLE, in turn, may also reduce vitamin D levels. […] Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• #86 Natural treatments for lupus: Foods, herbs, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/natural-treatment-for-lupus

  There are several supplements that researchers have examined for their potential positive effects on lupus. […] Curcumin is a compound in turmeric. Research has shown that curcumin has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Curcumin may also have immunomodulatory effects, which means it may help reduce the immune response. […] Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that occur naturally in several foods, particularly fish. They can have anti-inflammatory effects, making them potentially useful for lupus. […] Many people with SLE have vitamin D deficiency. One review suggests that vitamin D deficiency could aggravate SLE or be a potential risk factor for it, and SLE, in turn, may also reduce vitamin D levels. […] Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• #87 Natural treatments for lupus: Foods, herbs, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/natural-treatment-for-lupus

  DHEA is a steroid hormone that helps control inflammation. Some people with SLE have reduced DHEA, leading some to speculate that it might be helpful for people to take it as a supplement. […] Mind-body therapies are a group of complementary treatments that focus on how the mind and body work together, influencing mood, concentration, and memory. They may help a person cope with the impacts of the condition. […] Cognitive behavioral therapy may assist with this by helping a person identify difficult emotions and what is causing them. A therapist then helps a person learn coping skills, stress management, and relaxation techniques. […] No form of treatment can cure lupus. However, there is some evidence that certain natural treatments may help reduce the symptoms and inflammation it causes. These include curcumin, omega-3s, vitamin D, and green tea. […] Natural treatments cannot replace medical treatment for lupus. The disease can cause damage to the body, and despite some limited evidence suggesting that the above supplements are beneficial, there is no evidence that they can treat lupus on their own.

• #88 Systemic lupus erythematosus: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000435.htm

  There is no cure for SLE. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. Severe symptoms that involve the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs often need treatment by specialists. Each person with SLE needs evaluation regarding: […] Mild forms of SLE may be treated with: […] Treatments for more severe SLE may include: […] If you have SLE, it is also important to: […] A kidney biopsy is done to detect the extent of damage to the kidney and to help guide treatment. If active nephritis is present, treatment with immunosuppressive medicines including high doses of corticosteroids along with either cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate are needed. […] Both SLE and some of the medicines used for SLE can harm an unborn child. Talk to your provider before you become pregnant. If you become pregnant, find a provider who is experienced with SLE and pregnancy.

• #89 Lupus – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789

  Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. […] While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms. […] As an autoimmune disease, lupus occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. […] Some potential triggers include: […] Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. […] People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. […] To reduce the risk of these complications, doctors often recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been under control for at least six months.

• #90 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/0400/systemic-lupus-erythematosus.html

  Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with SLE because it prevents flare-ups, organ damage, and thrombosis and increases long-term survival. […] Glucocorticoids provide rapid symptom relief in acute disease and during flare-ups. Prolonged glucocorticoid use can have detrimental effects, including irreversible organ damage. […] Mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide are the immunosuppressive agents of choice for induction therapy for lupus nephritis. Mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine may be used for maintenance therapy. […] Hydroxychloroquine should be continued during pregnancy because it has been shown to control disease activity. It may reduce pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and cardiac neonatal lupus. […] Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) is an immunoglobulin gamma 1 kappa monoclonal antibody antagonist of the type 1 interferon receptor and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021 for the treatment of moderate and severe SLE. […] Patients with SLE can use most contraceptive methods, preferably long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices.

• #91 Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Update | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1998/0601/p2753.html

  Antimalarial agents, especially hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), are frequently used in the treatment of polyarthritis. […] In spite of NSAID and antimalarial therapy, some patients require corticosteroids to control severe polyarthritis. […] The usual therapy for cutaneous lupus erythematosus is strict use of sun block, judicious use of topical steroids and antimalarial therapy. […] Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is more effective than corticosteroids alone for the treatment of severe forms of lupus nephritis (diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis). […] Patients with severe or resistant symptoms may also require treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide and/or plasmapheresis. […] Patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome who also have thrombocytopenia cannot be safely treated with either heparin or warfarin, unless their platelet count remains above 50,000 103 per mm3 (50 109 per L). […] Patients who require warfarin or cyclophosphamide therapy should not become pregnant because of the teratogenic potential of these drugs.

• #92 How I diagnose and treat lupus | Medicina Universitaria

  https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-medicina-universitaria-304-articulo-how-i-diagnose-treat-lupus-S166557961500006X

  The treatment includes lifestyle modification, patient education, physical activity and medical or (in some cases) surgical intervention. […] There are general recommendations that are given to SLE patients. All patients should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. […] The vaccination schedule in SLE patients includes a yearly influenza vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years. […] Most SLE patients are diagnosed in the reproductive years, thus reproductive health is an important issue. […] In addition to the control of the disease, SLE patients should have a systematic assessment of comorbidities. […] Cognitive dysfunction prevalence in SLE ranges from 12% to 87%. […] We can divide SLE into three categories based on disease severity: mild, moderate, and severe. […] Corticosteroids (CS) are the mainstay of treatment for SLE in any category, with proven efficacy.

• #93 Pediatric Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythmatosus) | Boston Children’s Hospital

  https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/lupus

  With lupus, doctors cant predict what part of the body the immune system will choose to strike, or when. But they can use medications to help prevent or blunt these attacks and to extinguish the harmful inflammation. […] Today, however, there are powerful medications that can bring this illness under control often permanently in the majority of children and allow them to lead full, relatively normal lives. […] Treating an unpredictable disease like lupus is like fighting a fire: Doctors can’t know where it might spread, so they focus on what’s actually on fire the places in your child’s body where lupus is active right now. […] The medications used to treat lupus fall into two main categories. Nonimmunosuppressants tend to be milder drugs that fight inflammation or help ease discomfort and have few side effects. Immunosuppressants are much more powerful drugs aimed at bringing the malfunctioning immune system under control.

• #94 Pediatric Lupus | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

  https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/pediatric-lupus

  Lupus is an autoimmune disorder. In these disorders, the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. […] There is no cure for lupus, but treatment can relieve some of the symptoms of the disorder. […] Treatment will be determined by your child’s doctor based on: Your child’s age, overall health, and medical history; Extent of the condition; Your child’s tolerance for specific medications, procedures, and therapies; Your expectation for the course of the disease; Specific organs that are affected; Your opinion or preference. […] If lupus symptoms are mild, treatment may not be necessary, other than possibly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for joint pain. […] Other treatments may include: Hydroxychloroquine medications to ease symptoms; Corticosteroids to control inflammation; Immunosuppressive medication to suppress the body’s autoimmune system; Monoclonal antibodies, such as belimumab and rituximab, may be used for select patients, depending on disease activity and results of certain blood tests.

• #95 Pediatric Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythmatosus) | Boston Children’s Hospital

  https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/lupus

  With lupus, doctors cant predict what part of the body the immune system will choose to strike, or when. But they can use medications to help prevent or blunt these attacks and to extinguish the harmful inflammation. […] Today, however, there are powerful medications that can bring this illness under control often permanently in the majority of children and allow them to lead full, relatively normal lives. […] Treating an unpredictable disease like lupus is like fighting a fire: Doctors can’t know where it might spread, so they focus on what’s actually on fire the places in your child’s body where lupus is active right now. […] The medications used to treat lupus fall into two main categories. Nonimmunosuppressants tend to be milder drugs that fight inflammation or help ease discomfort and have few side effects. Immunosuppressants are much more powerful drugs aimed at bringing the malfunctioning immune system under control.

• #96 Pediatric Lupus | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

  https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/pediatric-lupus

  Children with lupus should not receive immunizations with live viruses, including chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and oral polio vaccines. Consult your child’s doctor regarding all vaccines. […] Children with lupus require frequent monitoring by a rheumatologist to make sure the disease is under control and medications are not having side effects. […] There is no cure for lupus, but, in most cases, symptoms can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medications.

• #97 Pediatric Lupus | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

  https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/pediatric-lupus

  Children with lupus should not receive immunizations with live viruses, including chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and oral polio vaccines. Consult your child’s doctor regarding all vaccines. […] Children with lupus require frequent monitoring by a rheumatologist to make sure the disease is under control and medications are not having side effects. […] There is no cure for lupus, but, in most cases, symptoms can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medications.

• #98 Finding the Right Lupus Treatment Plan for You | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you

  Complementary and alternative medicine includes healing practices that are different from the conventional medical treatments and medicines you can get from a doctor. […] Lifestyle changes may include things like learning to avoid your lupus triggers, getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating healthy foods. […] Lupus affects more than just your physical health it can impact your mental health, too. […] Unfortunately, all treatments have risks and benefits. Your lupus doctor can help you understand how different treatments might help you. […] Figuring out which treatments you want to try is a personal decision and choosing can be overwhelming! […] A good doctor will make you feel heard and respected. […] You and your lupus doctor will work as a team to come up with a treatment plan.

• #99 Lupus – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790

  Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor. […] As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages. The medications most commonly used to control lupus include: […] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs may include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.

• #100 Lupus Treatment Options: Steroids, Biologics, and More

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/treatment-for-lupus-189993

  The medications that are most frequently used to control lupus symptoms are: Antimalarials, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressives/disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Biologics. […] Lupus treatment should include as few medications as possible taken for as short a time as possible. […] NSAIDs and other over-the-counter (OTC) medications that reduce inflammation and help with pain might be part of your treatment plan. […] All lupus medications have risks. […] You should never suddenly stop taking your lupus medications because doing so can be dangerous. […] Antimalarials are used to treat lupus-related conditions and symptoms. […] Antimalarials are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat lupus. […] Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory drugs.

• #101 RHEUM Treatment-Lupus | Department of Medicine

  https://dom.pitt.edu/rheum/centers-institutes/lupuscenter/treatment/

  Aspirin/Warfarin (Coumadin, blood thinners): Used in patients with a tendency for blood clots (anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome) to prevent strokes, leg vein and lung blood clots. […] These are complex treatments, all of which require regular blood testing for disease monitoring to ensure their safety and efficacy for lupus patients. Lupus patients should be seen by a lupus expert or rheumatologist every 3-4 months to assess disease activity and to help control any ongoing symptoms and monitor for drug side-effects. Our hope is to achieve control of the disease (remission) with a goal of reducing disability and improving quality of life for lupus patients. […] Other important components of lupus therapy include supportive care and counseling, treatment for depression and anxiety, use of sunscreens to protect against flares, treatment for associated fibromyalgia, and pain management.

• #102 Lupus diagnosis and treatment

  https://womenshealth.gov/lupus/lupus-diagnosis-and-treatment

  Lupus is a chronic disease with no cure. This means that you can manage it with treatment, but it will not go away. Treatment can help improve your symptoms, prevent flares, and prevent other health problems often caused by lupus. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and needs. […] There is no cure for lupus but treatments can help you feel better and improve your symptoms. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and needs. The goals of treatment are to: […] Several different types of medicines treat lupus. Your doctors and nurses may change the medicine they prescribe for your lupus as your symptoms and needs change. […] Types of medicines commonly used to treat lupus include: […] Talk to your doctor about any side effects you may have, if your medicines no longer help your symptoms, if you have new symptoms, if you want to become pregnant, and about any vitamins or herbal supplements you take they might not mix well with medicines you use to treat lupus.

• #103 Finding the Right Lupus Treatment Plan for You | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you

  Treating lupus is complex, and its normal to need to make changes to your treatment plan from time to time. Your plan might also change if your personal goals for treatment shift. […] Youre in control of your treatment plan. And its okay to change your mind about a treatment but be sure to talk to your doctor about it.

• #104 New Lupus Treatments Offer a Better Chance for Remission > News > Yale Medicine

  https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-lupus-treatments

  There are now three of these targeted medications: Saphnelo (anifrolumab) approved in August 2021. This monoclonal antibody (a protein that finds and attaches to one type of substance, called a cytokine, in the body) is designed to treat an excess of interferon activation, which plays an essential role in lupus inflammation. […] But it is the targeted treatments that could move the needle on helping more patients reach remission, Dr. Koumpouras explains. With the three most recent medications, weve actually improved the treatment outcomes for patients with SLE, he says. We know that, statistically, patients will do better on these treatments. […] In the last 10 years, we’ve started to understand a lot more about the pathogenesis [the development path] of the disease, and that’s been the major advance, says Dr. Craft. That understanding has led to these new drugs, and it will lead to the development of others.

• #105 Update οn the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

  https://ard.bmj.com/content/80/1/14

  Clinical heterogeneity, unpredictable course and flares are characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). […] Treatment goals include long-term patient survival, prevention of flares and organ damage, and optimisation of health-related quality of life. For organ-threatening or life-threatening SLE, treatment usually includes an initial period of high-intensity immunosuppressive therapy to control disease activity, followed by a longer period of less intensive therapy to consolidate response and prevent relapses. […] New disease-modifying conventional and biologic agents used alone, in combination or sequentially have improved rates of achieving both short-term and long-term treatment goals, including minimisation of glucocorticoid use. […] Management recommendations have been published by EULAR in 2008 and were updated in 2019 based on emerging new data.

• #106 Finding the Right Lupus Treatment Plan for You | Lupus Foundation of America

  https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you

  Complementary and alternative medicine includes healing practices that are different from the conventional medical treatments and medicines you can get from a doctor. […] Lifestyle changes may include things like learning to avoid your lupus triggers, getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating healthy foods. […] Lupus affects more than just your physical health it can impact your mental health, too. […] Unfortunately, all treatments have risks and benefits. Your lupus doctor can help you understand how different treatments might help you. […] Figuring out which treatments you want to try is a personal decision and choosing can be overwhelming! […] A good doctor will make you feel heard and respected. […] You and your lupus doctor will work as a team to come up with a treatment plan.

• #107

  https://rheumatology.org/patients/lupus

  The treatment goals are to decrease inflammation, address associated symptoms and prevent organ damage. The medications required depend on the severity of symptoms and organ(s) involved. Options include hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), steroids and immune decreasing medications that can include the following: mycophenolate, belimumab, voclosporin, anifrolumab. Each medication has its own possible side effects and working with the rheumatologist discussing benefits and risks is important. […] Most people with lupus can live normal lives. The treatment of lupus has improved, and people with the disease are living longer. Take medications as prescribed and visit your rheumatologist regularly to prevent serious problems.

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