Educational Lupus Information - Part 3

Becoming overtired or feeling as though your stress level is building up.Having more frequent or higher fevers than usual.Aching in your muscles, or more painful and swollen joints.The development of a rash.The development of any symptoms you have not had before


Cytotoxic medications are very powerful and they are prescribed only to patients with severe forms of lupus. Cytotoxic medications and corticosteroids are usually prescribed together in lupus treatments and their aim is to suppress the production of antibodies that are harmful to the organism.

Lupus generates a wide range of symptoms and people with the disease experience them at different intensities. Lupus involves abnormal activity of the immune system. The dysfunctional immune system produces antibodies that turn against healthy body cells and tissues (antinuclear antibodies). Some antibodies produced by the dysfunctional immune system can even alter the body’s genetic material (anti-DNA antibodies). The abnormal activity of the immune system can lead to the occurrence of various internal disorders (heart disease, pulmonary disease, kidney disease), disorders of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, osteoporosis), disorders of the nervous system (brain disease) and skin diseases (lupus rash, erythematous lesions).

The treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus is mainly targeted at reducing the damage caused by the dysfunctional immune system to the body. Immunosuppressive medications are very common in the treatment for lupus. Although they can generate pronounced side-effect, corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythemaosus. However, doctors are trying to minimize the use of harmful drugs such as azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).

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This information is for"informational purposes" and is not meant to be used for medical diagnosis. Always consult your physician on matters such as this.