Medical Treatment For Lupus

Lupus is a complex condition, which can manifest in different ways. Treatment will depend on how extensive and severe the problems are, and what symptoms you are having.

Topical Treatment:

Skin involvement is one of the most common symptoms of lupus. In many cases, the skin is the only area that is involved. In these cases, topical steroids can help reduce inflammation and calm down flares. Depending on the thickness of the lesion, and the area affected (skin differs greatly in thickness depending on the area of the body), the strength of the steroid varies. For this reason, it's important to use medication exactly as prescribed. In some severe cases, steroids may need to be injected into the lesion.

Systemic therapy:

For more serious symptoms, or ones that go beyond the scope of the skin, other therapies may be required. The most common and first line of treatment involves anti-malarial drugs. Either a singular or a combination of drugs is used to control severe problems.

Immune system modulators are then considered, if the first line therapy is ineffective. Some examples of these include isotretinoin and acitretin, or dapsone. If these fail, then stronger systemic medications like methotrexate, mofetil mycophenolate, cyclosporine, and thalidomide are some of the more serious medications that are used to control the disease. The doctors will explain all the risks and expectations of these medications.

Back to Lupus Index   |   Top