Topic Overview
Certain medicines can cause temporary symptoms and signs
of
lupus. The symptoms go away when you stop taking the
medicine, typically within a few weeks. Symptoms are usually milder than in
typical lupus, and the kidneys and central nervous system are rarely
affected.
Some children who take medicines to prevent seizures
develop a condition similar to drug-induced lupus seen in adults.
Symptoms go away when the child stops taking the medicine.
Medicines that may play a role in inducing lupus include:
- Antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-a.
- Certain
anticonvulsants called hydantoins, such as phenytoin and
ethotoin.
- Chlorpromazine.
- D-penicillamine.
- Hydralazine.
- Interferon
alfa.
- Isoniazid.
- Methyldopa.
- Minocycline.
- Procainamide.
These and other medicines may induce symptoms of lupus in some
individuals. But the symptoms are not permanent. They will eventually disappear after
you stop taking the medicine.
Even if you have lupus, your doctor may prescribe these medicines to treat other conditions. There is no evidence that drugs that cause drug-induced lupus cause lupus flares.
If you suspect that a medicine is triggering
lupus symptom flares, talk with your health doctor about changing your
medicine.
References
Other Works Consulted
- Hahn BH (2012). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In DL Longo et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2724–2735. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
- Hahn BH, Tsao BP (2009). Pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In GS Firestein et al., eds., Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 8th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1233–1262. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Nancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology |
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| Last Revised | May 10, 2012 |
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