WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

The vast majority of people who have lupus can be treated successfully and can look forward to a normal life expectancy when the disease is mild  Treatment may not be needed although the physician will continue to monitor the symptoms regularly.  The treatment plan is always based on the type and severity of the symptoms and must be tailored to the needs of each individual.  What is best for one person, at a given time, may not be good for another.

Skin rashes are often treated with a cortisone cream that is applied regularly until the rash is under control.  For more severe skin involvement with sun sensitivity, an antimalarial drug may be prescribed.  This family of medications has proven very effective at reducing rashes and increasing sun tolerance.  The preventive use of an effective sunscreen is always recommended.

Arthritis is very common in lupus and, when mild, can be treated successfully with a non-prescription pain medication.  If the joint pain does not subside with this treatment, a variety of inflammation fighting medication are available, although it is sometimes necessary to try several different drugs before finding one that is effective.  The antimalarial medication used for skin rashes and sun sensitivity can also be quite useful in treating the inflammation of the joints and fatigue which are so common in lupus.

When the symptoms of lupus are more severe, or do not respond to the anti-inflammatory drugs or the antimalarials prescribing cortisone or prednisone may be indicated.  These drugs are commonly called "steroids" but are not the same steroids used by athletes to build muscle.  The steroids used in lupus are powerful inflammation fighters and immune activity suppressants.  In times of acute flares involving major internal organs, they can literally save lives.

Lastly, when lupus affects a major organ such as the brain or kidneys, or when severe symptoms do not respond completely to steroids, other powerful drugs may be used to depress the activity of the immune system.

In the treatment of lupus, physicians use the least powerful medication for the shortest period of time required to bring the symptoms under control.  Every medication can have undesirable side effects and it is in the best interest of the individual to keep these to a minimum.  People who take medications should become knowledgeable about their possible side effects and report any difficulties immediately.