Lupus Types of medication

antimalarials, to control symptoms in the long-term

anti-inflammatory drugs, to reduce swelling and relieve pain

Some researchers have suggested that, since estrogen levels appear to fluctuate with lupus flares, estrogen therapy might one day be an option. However, more research is necessary before this can happen safely and effectively.

In fecal transplantation, a doctor applies a solution of feces — or poop — from a donor to the gut of another person, to try and change that person’s gut flora, or the species in the gut that may be causing a health problem.

Medications used to treat lupus

A detailed guide to the types, uses and potential side effects of the main medications used by woman with lupus.

Anti-inflammatories and over-the-counter pain relievers

Anti-inflammatory medications help to relieve many of the symptoms of lupus by reducing inflammation and pain. Anti-inflammatories are the most common drugs used to treat lupus symptoms like fever, arthritis or pleurisy. These symptoms often improve within several days of beginning treatment.





For many people with lupus, an anti-inflammatory drug may be the only medication they need to control lupus.

Aspirin

Pain-reducer with anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties.

Does not help with inflammation and cannot control lupus disease activity.

Less stomach irritation than aspirin.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)

Treatment for pain.

Can control some lupus symptoms.

Can irritate the stomach.

Most people have no side effects when taking Tylenol. But, in rare cases liver problems have occurred.

Repository Corticotropin Injection. (H.P. Acthar Gel)

It contains a naturally occurring, highly purified hormone called ACTH. ACTH stands for adrenocorticotropic (a-DRE-no-cor-ti-co-TRO-pic) hormone. Acthar is thought to work by helping your body produce its own natural steroid hormones, such as cortisol. These hormones may assist immune system by helping the body defend itself against inflammation.





Anticoagulants

Blood clots can be a life-threatening symptom of lupus. Anticoagulants thin the blood to prevent it from clotting too easily. Anticoagulant medications include low-dose aspirin and prescription heparin If you are being treated with warfarin, you must be regularly checked on by your doctor to be sure your blood does not become too thin. Anticoagulant therapy may be lifelong in some people with lupus.





People’s genetic makeup may influence how they respond to warfarin. Specifically, people with variations in two genes may need lower warfarin doses due to differences in how the body breaks down (metabolizes) warfarin and regulates the ability of warfarin to prevent blood from clotting. For this reason, the dosage and administration of warfarin must be individualized for each person.s.





Corticosteroids

Also known as glucocorticoids, cortisone or steroids) are man-made prescription drugs. They are designed to work like cortisol, a naturally occurring hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers that regulate most of the body’s functions. It helps regulate blood pressure and the immune system. It is also the body’s most powerful anti-inflammatory hormone. Corticosteroids prescribed for autoimmune diseases are different from anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are sometimes used by weightlifters and other athletes to increase strength.





Steroid medications work quickly to decrease the swelling, warmth, tenderness and pain that are related to inflammation. They do this by lessening the immune system’s response. Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed steroid for lupus. Prednisolone and methylprednisolone are similar to prednisone. Some physicians prefer to prescribe these if you have liver problems.





Human take steroids in pill form. But, creams or gels applied to the skin are often used for cutaneous (skin) lupus. Steroids in liquid form are at times injected into muscles or directly into joints and in some cases into skin lesions. Pulse steroids are large liquid doses given intravenously (injected into a vein) over several hours. The side effects can last for weeks, so pulse steroids are sometimes prescribed to control a lupus flare or for people who cannot take steroids in pill form.





The specialist will try to keep steroid dosage at the lowest level possible. Once lupus symptoms respond to treatment, the dose is gradually reduced (tapered). As an alternative to lowering the steroid dose, your doctor may ask you to take steroids on an every-other day basis -- one day on, one day off.





Steroids can produce a variety of side effects, including:

Fragile skin that bruises easily.

Lower than normal growth in children.

Acne

A round or moon-shaped face, weight gain or hair growth

Fluid retention and a redistribution of fat, leading to a swollen face and abdomen but thin arms and legs

Irritability, agitation, excitability, insomnia or depression.

Changes in appearance and mood are more apparent with high doses of steroid

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)

It is a type of protein made in the laboratory that is developed to find and attach to only one type of substance in the body.

Benlysta® (belimumab, formerly called LymphoStat-B™) is a human monoclonal antibody. It was developed to disrupt activation of B lymphocytes by interfering with BLyS, a protein required for B cell activity. Benlysta is the first and only drug specifically developed for and approved to treat lupus. Studies have shown that Benlysta can reduce autoantibody levels and help control disease activity.

However, there is still some way to go until this happens.