Lupus Drugs
There are about five principal classifications for existing lupus drugs according to the Lupus Foundation of America. These are the anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, anti-malarials, cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs and investigational or research drugs.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
There are two kinds of anti-inflammatory drugs for lupus patients. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and NSAIDs, treat inflammation problems that do not affect any major organ. Though not specifically approved for people with SLE, NSAIDs are prescribed to soothe musculoskeletal pains associated with lupus such as arthritis and tendonitis.
Another type of anti-inflammatory drugs is corticosteroids. Corticosteroids or cortisone, are highly potent anti-inflammatory drugs that also happen to be naturally occurring hormones. These drugs reduce inflammation in various tissues of the body and are available as pills, creams and injectables. Most lupus symptoms are said to respond faster to corticosteroids, and one of the most popular is Prednisone.
Known major side effects of using NSAIDs include heartburn, abdominal pain, gastric ulcers, bleeding, fluid retention, rashes, dizziness and confusion as well as kidney or liver damage. As for topical corticosteroids, thinning of the skin, pigment changes and superficial blood vessel formation have been identified as side effects. Patients taking oral corticosteroids may experience weight gain, round or moon-shaped face, gastric ulcers, facial hair and cataracts. Infection, nervousness and metallic taste are the only known major side effects for IV or injectable corticosteroids.
The Anti-malarials
Anti-malarial drugs are widely used in the management or treatment of lupus arthritis, skin rashes and mouth ulcers. Reducing the risk of blood clots and lowering cholesterol levels are some of the possible benefits of using these drugs.
Though anti-malarial lupus drugs are considered to have a small risk of causing birth defects, they are not generally recommended to women who are planning to get pregnant. Low dose therapies may also cause abdominal symptoms such as dyspepsia. Other side effects include muscle weakness, rashes or darkening of the skin and a temporary mild blurring of the vision.
High doses of certain anti-malarial drugs may cause damage to the retina. As a precaution, patients who would need this type of treatment would need a thorough eye examination before beginning to take these drugs and every 6-12 months during the therapy.
Immunosuppressive or Cytotoxic Drugs
Patients with serious lupus nephritis or neurological diseases may require immunosuppressive drugs when corticosteroids fail. Immunosuppressive drugs or cytotoxic drugs have a major effect in the white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets that the bone marrow produces. Lupus patients undergoing cytotoxic treatments must have regular compete blood count examinations, and must be prepared for viral infections such as herpes zoster. This is due to the fact that cytotoxic drugs decrease a person’s ability to fight off infections.
Specific toxicities are also associated with the different cytotoxic drugs. Cyclophosphamide for example, may cause hair loss, sterility and bladder complications while Azathioprine may cause the allergic-type of hepatitis and pancreatitis.
Investigational Drugs
Researchers are looking into hormone modifications and treatments using selective immunosuppressive drugs and biological agents. These biologic agents are specifically studied to selectively block pathways of the immune system from forming autoantibodies. These antibodies have been identified to be involved in the inflammation and damage that occurs in lupus patients.
Therefore, lupus patients need to bear in mind that their physicians must carefully monitor any prescribed drugs, as well as any over the counter drugs or herbal remedies, their patients may be taking. Severe drug interactions may occur with prescriptions if your physician is not made aware of over the counter drugs that have been self-administered.
