The Treatment Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

The treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus focuses on the symptoms.  The reason for this is that there is no conclusive treatment that can target and cure the cause of this disease.

However, there are numerous treatments that focus on relieving symptoms.

The doctors should always adapt the treatment to the specific situation of each patient. In addition, the patient must give his consent. In doing so, he must take into account all the positive effects and the risks.

In this article we will look at this process.

First, let’s look at the medications most commonly used in the treatment of lupus:

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• Glucocorticoids
• Antimalarials
• Immunosuppressive Medications
• Biological Therapies

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are examples of this type of medication. These drugs are preferably used to treat the symptoms that occur in the muscles and skeletal system. It is usually recommended to take them for a limited time. Because that way one can keep the risk low that can occur if you take them.

You will therefore be prescribed this medication. But you should always keep in mind that they have some negative effects. Because they can affect digestion, the functioning of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system. You should avoid this type of medication if you have kidney disease or if a kidney disorder is developing.

Glucocorticoids

This group of drugs is used as a basis for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The reason is that they possess anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. It is thus still the most important and effective treatment used in the acute phases of this disease.

Unfortunately, you should not continue to take this medication for an extended period of time. Because over time they can become poisonous. Then they can have an adverse effect. As a result, you can suffer from other conditions. We give you some examples:

• Osteoporosis
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
• An increased risk of infections

• Glaucoma

In these cases, doctors will recommend taking a dose less than or equal to five milligrams of prednisone (or an equivalent drug) per day. In addition, the treatment should also be stopped as soon as possible.

Glucocorticoids are therefore highly unhealthy for the body. But almost all complications associated with this disease can be successfully treated with corticoids.

Antimalarials

The medication that stands out most in this group is chloroquine, and especially hydroxy-chloroquine.  In general, these are the drugs used for most patients with SLE. In addition, they are the only drugs specifically indicated for the treatment of SLE (until belimumab is approved. We discuss this new drug later in this article.)

This type of medication is especially helpful to combat the following conditions:

• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Some skin lesions
• pericarditis
• General Symptoms

Patients often tolerate these antimalarial drugs well. The main negative side effect is the potential for retinal damage. That is why doctors will always advise that the patient be examined by an ophthalmologist regularly and at fixed times.

In addition, doctors can even prescribe this medication during pregnancy. Because it helps to control cholesterol levels. In addition, they have another beneficial effect in these patients. They also counteract the worsening of symptoms.

Immunosuppressive Medications

In certain cases, systemic lupus erythematosus is treated with immunosuppressive drugs. But this only happens in patients who do not respond well to antimalarial treatments and to the use of glucocorticoids.

In general, these are the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs to combat this disease:

• Cyclophosphamide
• Mycophenolate mofetil
• azathioprine
• Methotrexate

Biological Therapy

This form of therapy is fairly new.  It is still being investigated through a series of clinical tests. Biologic medications are used in this therapy. These drugs are also called monoclonal antibodies. The most commonly used types are Belimumab and Rituximab.

Belimumab is the first biologic drug approved for the specific treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. But it’s not the only medication that can alleviate this condition.

During therapy, the patient is closely monitored. If symptoms have not improved after six months, consideration should be given to discontinuing this treatment. Both forms of this medication are currently being tested.