Treating lupus is a lifelong process. It requires ongoing planning and communication. Right now, there’s no cure for lupus, but there’s a lot you can do to manage the disease and improve your quality of life. Learning as much as you can about lupus treatments and approaches will help you work with your care team to find a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Careful monitoring of the disease and a treatment programme with medication adjusted as appropriate enables the condition to be controlled, most patients being able to live a normal life span. Doctors will usually only keep the patient on high impact medication for as short a period as possible.
Examples of lupus treatment medications include:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- – anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), used for patients who suffer mainly from joint/muscle pain.
- antimalarial medications
- – these are of help in patients with skin and joint involvement and of some assistance with fatigue. The drugs may be sufficient for patients with moderately active lupus to avoid using steroids.
- corticosteroids
- immunosuppressive drugs
- – these drugs are widely used in more severe disease. The most commonly used are azathioprine, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide. Azathioprine is a milder drug and used for mild to moderate kidney disease, or where its difficult to reduce steroid dosage.
A doctor will consider a person’s lupus symptoms and their severity when recommending lupus treatments. Doctors may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding excess ultraviolet sunlight exposure.
Understanding Lupus Treatment and Care
Comprehensive lupus care involves strategies to help you control your symptoms, keep your immune system from attacking your body, and protect your organs from damage.
Managing Symptoms and Side Effects
Get expert tips and advice on how to manage lupus symptoms and medication side effects.