Drug-induced lupus

Certain medications can cause temporary symptoms and signs of lupus. The symptoms go away when you stop taking the medication, generally within a few weeks. Symptoms are usually milder than in typical lupus, and the kidneys and central nervous system are rarely affected.

Some children taking medications to prevent seizures develop a lupuslike condition similar to drug-induced lupus seen in adults. Symptoms go away when the child stops taking the medication.

Medications that may play a role in inducing lupus include:¹

• Procainamide hydrochloride.
• Hydralazine hydrochloride.
• Isoniazid.
• Certain anticonvulsants called hydantoins, such as phenytoin and ethotoin.
• Chlorpromazine hydrochloride.
• Methyldopa.
• Minocycline.
• Interferon alfa.
• D-penicillamine.
• Antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-a.

While these medications may induce symptoms of lupus in some individuals, the symptoms are not permanent and will eventually disappear when you stop taking the medication. Even if you have lupus, your health professional may prescribe these medications to treat other conditions.¹

People who already have systemic or cutaneous (skin) lupus are not at increased risk of having lupus flares when they use these medications for treating other conditions.¹

If you suspect that a medication is triggering lupus symptom flares, consult with your health professional about changing your medication.

Citations

1. Hahn BH, et al. (2005). Pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In ED Harris et al., eds., Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1174–1200. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.