Several Treatments Administered to Patients with Lupus

Due to the complexity of treatment of the disease of lupus can take many forms, it consists of a wide range of medicines and treatments to relieve lupus symptoms and prevent further complications. Lupus treatment varies considerably from patient to patient suffering from lupus receiving some type of drugs according to their experienced symptoms and severity of the disease. Thus, the treatment of lupus is often personalized, consisting of different types of drugs and therapies. Lupus patients (especially patients with systemic lupus erythematosus) are generally administered combination treatments, to fight against the emergence or worsening of the multiplicity of symptoms characteristic of this type of autoimmune disease.


Although currently there is no specific treatment for lupus, existing treatments can significantly improve symptoms of the disease and minimize the risk of complications. Once a patient is diagnosed with lupus, he / she will receive treatment based on age, gender, overall health, the severity of symptoms, and lifestyle. Current treatments are effective in relieving the symptoms of lupus, and they also allow patients to continue their normal daily activities. Most lupus patients do not require bed confinement and prolonged hospitalization is rarely required.

Lupus treatment is individualized to meet the needs and the patient's symptoms. For example, for patients with musculoskeletal disorders due to lupus, doctors generally prescribe treatment with drugs that reduce inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely administered to patients confronted with symptoms such as joint swelling, stiffness and pain, muscle weakness and fever.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered alone or in combination with similar drugs. Because these drugs can produce serious side effects, it is advised to avoid long-term use. NSAIDs to be administered only during relapse periods when lupus symptoms suddenly increase in strength. Popular NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, sulindac, diclofenac, ketoprofen, diflunisal, nabumetone, oxaprozin, and indomethacin. Initially prescribed for the treatment of malaria, these drugs are also effective in the treatment of lupus, as they tend to remove a number of cases in the immune system to neutralize some of the undesirable side effects on the body . Antimalarial drugs used in the treatment of lupus include: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), quinacrine (Atabrine) and chloroquine (Aralen). These commonly used medications are prescribed for lupus relieve fatigue, inflammation and joint pain, rashes and inflammation of the lungs and heart. Unlike NSAIDs, antimalarial drugs have less severe side effects, making them suitable for long-term treatments. Continuous treatment with anti-malarial drugs can effectively prevent the appearance of the flame.

Steroids are often prescribed in the treatment of lupus. Due to the fact that these drugs can cause serious side effects, they are only prescribed for short-term treatment. For patients facing severe forms of lupus, doctors usually prescribe immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. The main action of immunosuppressive drugs is to minimize the damage caused by the defective immune system overactive in the cellular level.