How is Drug induced Lupus Erythematosus treated?
The first and most important intervention is to discontinue the offending drug. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs will often help control the symptoms such as arthralgias, as the disease gradually resolves after the drug is stopped. Patients with more severe signs and symptoms, especially those with pericarditis or pleuritis, often require a short course of corticosteroids to control their disease. In more prolonged cases, antimalarials can be used. More toxic agents, such as azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, are almost never required in the treatment of DILE; however, they may be needed in drug-induced ANCA vasculitis. Overall, the prognosis of DILE is good and symptoms resolve with stopping the offending drug. Notably, the positive ANA may persist for a prolonged time (>1 year) even after symptoms resolve.
