Various medications to treat lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks the healthy tissues. Symptoms include joint or muscle pain, fatigue, skin rash, sores in nose, mouth or throat, and fever. There are various forms of medication available to treat the symptoms of lupus. Maintaining a well-balanced diet supported by regular exercises can elevate overall health condition. An adequate amount of rest can help in relieving fatigue. In order to protect skin from rashes due to the effect of ultraviolet rays, it is advisable to use a sunscreen. Getting pneumonia and flu vaccines can help in protecting the body against infections.
Treatment for lupus
While discussing different treatment options for lupus, few things should be kept in mind. Lupus is non-curable. As a result, the treatment options that are available help in relieving the symptoms, reducing the inflammation, prevent organ damages as well as other health problems. The different forms of medication available to help to treat Lupus symptoms are –
- Anti Inflammatory Drugs
The common symptoms for people suffering from lupus are swelling or pain in the joints of knees, fingers or wrists. They sometimes can be accompanied by a fever. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs can help in reducing the pain and swelling. However, using these drugs in high dose increases the chance of stroke or heart attack. Another side effect may include irritation in the stomach. - Anti-Malarial Medicines
Some anti-malarial drugs also help in treating different symptoms of lupus such as joint pain, skin rashes, and mouth sores. They also protect skin from damages caused by ultraviolet rays. They also protect various organs from getting damaged as a result of lupus. Side effects to these drugs may include stomach upset; however, they occur in rare cases and that too in a mild way. - Corticosteroids
This kind of medicine weakens certain parts of the immune system so that they do not attack healthy tissues by mistake. Physicians generally prescribe these medicines, on events if lupus causes problems related to various organs like kidneys, lungs, heart, brain and even blood vessels. These medicines also relieve symptoms like swelling or soreness in joints. However, they may cause serious side effects like diabetes, cataracts, fragile bones or muscle weakness. - Immunosuppressive Drugs
They are prescribed when corticosteroids are unable to relieve the symptoms. However, like corticosteroids, these medicines also weaken the immune system and prevent organ damages. They also help in relieving the symptoms. The side effects of these medicines include the chance of infections and different forms of cancer. - Anticoagulants
They are blood thinners that help in preventing blood clots which is a life-threatening symptom of lupus. - Monoclonal Antibodies
This type of medication is applied intravenously and is used specifically to treat lupus, as it targets specific immune cells. However, they are not used to treat severe forms of lupus.
Though lupus is incurable, however by bringing some changes in lifestyles and consuming a different form of medication can prevent lupus symptoms from getting worse.