Drug-Induced Lupus

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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:

  • Antiarrhythmics such as procainamide.
  • Antibiotics such as isoniazid and minocycline.
  • Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine.
  • Antihyperlipidemics such as lovastatin and simvastatin.
  • Antihypertensives such as hydralazine.
  • Anti-inflammatories such as sulfasalazine.
  • Antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine.
  • Biologics such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.
  • Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide.

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

  • Crow MK (2013). Etiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In GS Firestein et al., eds., Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 9th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1269-1282. Philadelphia: Saunders.
  • Hahn BH (2015). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In DL Kasper et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2124-2134. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine

E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerNancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology

Current as ofOctober 31, 2016

Current as of: October 31, 2016

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Nancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology