Treatment and Medication of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients often ask what the treatment for this disease is. The reassuring answer is that, while lupus cannot be permanently cured, it can be controlled very effectively. Medicines for SLE vary according to the severity of the disease — but there is one medicine that nearly all SLE patients take throughout their lives.

Hydroxychloroquine: the cornerstone of lupus treatment

The single most important medicine for lupus is hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). It is useful for almost every SLE patient and works in several ways:

• It controls the autoantibodies that drive the disease
• It helps prevent the disease from progressing
• If the disease goes into remission, it helps prevent it from becoming active again

Because of these benefits, hydroxychloroquine forms the backbone of treatment for lupus and is usually continued for life.

The one precaution with hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine is very safe, with one simple precaution around eye health. Before starting the medicine, an eye exam (retinal scan) should be carried out. After five years of continuous use, an eye scan should then be done every year.

As long as the eyes remain healthy, HCQ is considered something of a miracle drug for SLE patients — highly effective and very well tolerated.

Treatment for more active disease

For patients whose disease is more active, or where important organs such as the kidneys are involved, additional medicines are used alongside hydroxychloroquine. These may include steroids and immunosuppressive medicines to bring the disease under control. Treatment is always tailored to the individual and adjusted over time based on how the disease behaves.

Living well with lupus

The key to living well with lupus is staying on treatment, attending regular reviews, and avoiding triggers such as infections and excessive sun exposure. With good specialist care, most patients keep their lupus well controlled and lead full, active lives.

Learn more in our related posts on SLE symptoms, SLE diagnosis and managing SLE, or see our overview of lupus (SLE) treatment in Faisalabad.