Drug-induced lupus erythematos... Health Article

Expectations (prognosis)

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is usually not as severe as SLE. Usually, the symptoms go away within a few days to weeks after stopping the medication.

You should avoid the medication in the future, or symptoms usually return. Routine eye exams are recommended to detect eye complications early.

Complications

• Infection
• Thrombocytopenia purpura -- bleeding near the skin surface, resulting from a low number of platelets in the blood
• Hemolytic anemia
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• Your symptoms do not improve after you stop taking the medication that caused the condition
• You develop new symptoms

Prevention

Be aware of the risk when taking medications that are known to cause this reaction. If symptoms begin to appear, contact your doctor.

References

Tassiulas IO, Boumpas DT. Clinical features and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris Jr. ED, McInnes IB, Russy S, Sergent JS, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008: chap 75.