Lupus Awareness May – Drug induced Lupus the bad news and the good news

Posted in Lupus

The Bad News – It has been reported the there are dozens of medications that can trigger systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The drugs most lightly to cause “drug-induced lupus” -

Hydralazine for blood pressure

Quinidine and Procainamide used for abnormal heart rhythms

Phenytoin used for epilepsy

Isoniazid used for tuberculois

D-penicillamine used for rheumatoid arthritis

The Good News - These drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and cause SLE. Usually drug-induced SLE accounts for about 5% and generally the symptoms subside when you stop taking the medications.