Drug-induced lupus is a disease caused by some of the medications you use. Symptoms of drug-induced lupus resemble the symptoms ofsystemic lupus erythematosusand appear after several weeks of using the drug (from 3 weeks up to 2 years), but quickly disappear after its discontinuation.Characteristic of drug-induced lupus is the appearance of symptoms after restarting the medication that previously caused the symptoms of the disease.The disease is autoimmune, which means that the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.
Some medications can cause drug-induced lupus, but remember that this disease is rare, so only a small percentage of people taking the drug will develop lupus.The drug that most commonly causes symptoms of drug-induced lupus is the antiarrhythmic drug procainamide. This drug is currently not registered and is not available in Poland.
Other drugs that most commonly cause drug-induced lupus include: hydralazine (not available in Poland), dihydralazine (not available in Poland),penicillamine,isoniazid,methyldopa, minocycline (not available in Poland),diltiazem,infliximab, etarcept,chlorpromazine, interferon alpha.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
How common is drug-induced lupus?
Drug-induced lupus is rare and usually develops after the age of 50, just as common in women as it is in men.
How does drug-induced lupus manifest?
Symptoms of drug-induced lupus usually come on suddenly and may includefever, weakness,jointand muscle pain, inflammation of the joints and mucous membranes (reddened lesions on the cheeks, tongue or palate). There may also be mouth ulcers.
Additionally, skin lesions appear in the form of macular, erythematous or papular rashes. Classic erythema on the face in the form of a butterfly, which is observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, is very rare in patients with drug-induced lupus.
Inflammation can also affect the lining of the body cavities that surround the heart or lungs (pleurisy or pericarditis). They can causechest painwhich is worse when you lie down and gets less when you stand up. The pain may be accompanied by a drycoughandshortnessof breath .
What to do in the event of drug-induced lupus symptoms?
A patient who notices sudden symptoms of drug-induced lupus, especially skin lesions and mucositis, muscle and joint pain and fever with weakness, should see a doctor as soon as possible to find out the cause of the symptoms. Tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking or have taken in the recent past.
How does a doctor make a diagnosis of drug-induced lupus?
After the appearance of drug-induced lupus symptoms, the doctor will take a detailed interview, during which he will ask about the onset of symptoms and the accompanying other diseases for which the patient is taking medications. Take all medications you are currently taking with you to the appointment, even over-the-counter medications. You should also inform your doctor about any recently taken medications, even if they have already been discontinued. It will also be important to know about the family history of similar symptoms after taking the medicines, as well as about the occurrence of autoimmune diseases.
Then the doctor will examine the patient. Subsequently, the doctor may order additional tests. The most common blood tests are similar to those for suspected systemic lupus erythematosus, because drug-induced lupus has very similar symptoms.
What are the treatments for drug-induced lupus?
When symptoms of drug-induced lupus appear, treatment is to discontinue the medication that is causing the symptoms. Symptoms usually disappear within a few to several days. Before discontinuing the drug, consult your doctor who will decide on further treatment.
If stopping the medication that is causing your symptoms does not improve, your doctor will treat you as for patients withsystemic lupus erythematosus. Usually, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or glucocorticosteroids are used initially.
Is it possible to cure drug-induced lupus completely?
Drug-induced lupus is a disease that can be completely cured in most patients by stopping the medication that was causing the symptoms of the disease.Symptoms will come back if a patient takes a medicine that has caused drug-induced lupus in the past. In a small group of patients, despite the discontinuation of drugs, the symptoms of the disease do not improve, and then the doctor will implement the treatment typical for systemic lupus erythematosus.
What should I do after stopping drug-induced lupus treatment?
You should avoid taking medications that have triggered the symptoms of drug-induced lupus. If you cannot discontinue treatment due to other medical conditions, inform your doctor about the occurrence of drug-induced lupus symptoms. The doctor will try to introduce a different drug that will not cause symptoms of the disease.
What to do to avoid getting drug-induced lupus?
Drug-induced lupus is medication-induced. Therefore, in order to avoid the development of the disease-if possible-avoid drugs that may cause drug-induced lupus. Unfortunately, drugs that can cause drug-induced lupus are usually used in the treatment of severe diseases, and sometimes it is not possible to replace them with other drugs. If symptoms of drug-induced lupus have occurred in your family, please inform your doctor.