autoimmune disease blog

Lupus treatments focus on how to controlling many symptoms and often can prevent or slow organ damage. The treatment choices depend on how severe the symptoms are, whether the organs are affected, and how much the symptoms are affecting the daily life of patient. Treatment plans should be tailored to personal needs and will change over time, as the disease flares or ebbs.

There is no main rule in managing lupus. Some treatments work for some people but not for others, and some lupus treatments may have long-term side effects. Further research is needed to determine which of these treatments is safest and most effective. Lupus treatment is complicated by several factors:

• Flares and remissions can occur at any time, making it hard to tell how you are responding to treatment or which treatments are most helpful.
• The course and pattern of lupus symptoms vary widely.
• Some treatment side effects can be as troubling as the symptoms of lupus.

Treatment for mild or moderate lupus

There are three types of drugs that commonly used to treat mild or moderate lupus. Generally when people first diagnosed with lupus, the doctor may suggest these drugs:

• Antimalarial drugs. This lupus medication has proved useful in treating the signs and symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is the most commonly prescribed antimalarial by doctor. The drug may also prevent lupus flares even though it has side effects including muscle weakness and vision problems.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These types of drugs may be used to treat some of signs and symptoms lupus associated.  Including to these types are naproxen sodium (Aleve), aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Side effects of NSAIDs include kidney problems, an increased risk of heart problems, and stomach bleeding.
• Corticosteroids. Like NSAIDs, these drugs obstruct the inflammation of lupus disease. Corticosteroids are sometimes combined with other drugs in order to reduce the dose, and therefore the toxicity. This medication have serious long term side effect, including osteoporosis, easy bruising, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and increased of infection. Combining the medication with calcium and vitamin D can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Treatment for aggressive lupus

Some severe cases of lupus can life-threaten, including inflammation in the blood vessels, kidney problems, and central nervous system problems, such as seizures, may require more heavy and intensive treatment. Below are some treatments to manage severe of the disease:

• Immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs work with suppressing the anomaly of immune system in the body. Including to these drugs are cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan). The drug mycophenolate (CellCept), another immunosuppressant, can be used to treat lupus-related kidney problems. Side effects include liver damage, infertility, an increased risk of infection, and an increased risk of cancer.
• High-dose corticosteroids. These drugs can be taken administrated through intravenously or orally. A high-dose regimen of corticosteroids may control dangerous signs and symptoms quickly but can also cause serious side effects including mood swings, infections, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.