Drug-induced lupus erythematosus Health Article

Definition

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that is brought on by a reaction to medication.

See also: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is similar to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to a medication. The drug may react with cell materials, causing the body to form antibodies that attack the body's own healthy cells.

Several medications are known to cause drug-induced lupus. They include:

• Chlorpromazine
• Hydralazine
• Isoniazid
• Methyldopa
• Penicillamine
• Procainamide
• Quinidine
• Sulfasalazine

Symptoms tend to occur after taking the drug for at least 3 to 6 months.

Persons with drug-induced lupus erythematosus may have symptoms that affect the joints (arthritis), heart, and lungs. Other symptoms associated with SLE, such as lupus nephritis and nervous system (neurological) disease, are rare.

Drug-induced lupus affects men and women equally.

Symptoms

• Blurred vision
• Fever
• General ill feeling (malaise)
• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Pleuritic chest pain
• Skin rash
  • Gets worse with sunlight
  • "Butterfly" rash across bridge of nose and cheeks
• Weight loss

Signs and tests

The health care provider will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. The doctor may hear a sound called a heart friction rub or pleural friction rub. There may be signs of pericarditis.

A skin exam shows a rash.

Tests that may be done include:

• Antihistone antibody
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel
• Lupus erythematosus cell test (rarely used)

A chest x-ray may show signs of pleuritis or pericarditis. An ECG may show that the heart is affected.

Treatment

Usually, symptoms go away within several days to weeks after stopping the medication that caused the condition.

Treatment may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat arthritis and pleurisy
• Corticosteroid creams to treat skin rashes
• Antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine) to treat skin and arthritis symptoms

Very rarely, high doses of corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) and immune system suppressants (azathioprine or cyclophosphamide) are used to treat persons with severe drug-induced lupus that affects the heart, kidney, and neurological system.

Protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.