How is lupus treatment?
Treatment depends on symptoms and their severity. Conservative treatment is appropriate for patients with muscle or joint pain, fatigue, skin rash, and other features that are not life-threatening. Options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anti-malarial medications such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). More aggressive therapy is required for life-threatening and more serious manifestations such as kidney inflammation, lung or heart involvement, and central nervous system symptoms. Treatment in these circumstances might involve high-dose corticosteroids such as prednisone and other immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and rituximab (Rituxan). Treatment depends upon an individual assessment of risks and benefits. Most immunosuppressive medications, for instance, may cause significant side effects such as increased risk of infections, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhe
