Medications for Lupus
Medications commonly used to treat lupus include the following:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medicines can help treat pain, swelling, and fever associated with lupus.
Common over-the-counter NSAIDs include Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). Stronger NSAIDs are available with a prescription.
Antimalarial medicines: Drugs typically used to treat malaria may help control lupus symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and mouth sores.
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is a common antimalarial drug used to treat lupus.
Corticosteroids: These medicines can help control inflammation, but they may cause long-term side effects such as weight gain, thinning of bones, high blood pressure, diabetes, easy bruising, and infection.