The management of a patient with drug-induced lupus is determined by the clinical signs and symptoms.
Patient selection: Development of a positive ANA during drug therapy
If the patient is asymptomatic, then drug therapy can be continued.
If the patient develops symptoms, then the drug should be stopped permanently.
Signs and Symptoms |
Management |
mild constitutional and/or musculoskeletal |
none or aspirin/NSAIDS |
skin with joint manifestations |
hydroxychloroquine po |
pleurisy, nephritis, pericarditis, or other severe condition |
short-term low-dose corticosteroids |
where:
• Constitutional symptoms include low grade fever, malaise, and/or fatigue.
With drug-induced lupus, both the positive ANA and any clinical symptoms will revert if the drug is discontinued, although it may take several months (up to 2 years).
Differential diagnosis: Systemic lupus erythematosus, with onset during the drug therapy.
Specialty: Immunology/Rheumatology
ICD-10: ,