Lupus Health Center

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus. The pain purpose of treatment for lupus is to control symptoms.

Mild lupus may be treated with certain medications depending on symptoms:

  • for skin and arthritis symptoms - an antimalarial drug (hydroxychloroquine) and low-dose corticosteroids
  • for skin rashes - corticosteroid creams
  • for arthritis and pleurisy - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)

People with lupus should always wear sunscreen and/or protective clothing when in the sun.

Specialists may have to treat the more severe symptoms of lupus, such as kidney disease, central nervous system involvement, severe heart and lung involvement, or hemolytic anemia.

Other treatments for more severe lupus include:

  • high doses of corticosteroids or other medications to reduce the response of the immune system
  • cytotoxic drugs. These drugs block cell growth and are only used when corticosteroids do not work. They have serious side effects that may be severe. Anyone taking this medication should be closely monitored by a doctor.

In addition, it is important that patients who have lupus also have:

  • preventative heart care
  • up-to-date immunizations
  • tests to screen for osteoperosis (thinning of the bones)
Review Date: 
June 25, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com