Lupus Erythematosus

Also known as:  LE

Lupus Erythematosus is a serious Autoimmune Disease that affects the body's ConnectiveTissues.  Lupus Erythematosus occurs when the body produces abnormal Antibodies that attack normal body tissue as if it were a foreign invader.

 Lupus Erythematosus primarily afflicts women - approximately 1 in 700 women between the ages of 15 and 64 are affected by Lupus Erythematosus.  The female:male ratio of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is 9:1.

Auxins

 Indole-3-Carbinol may prolong lifespan in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.  ^[1]

Carotenoids

 Beta-Carotene may be useful for the treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[2]

Hormones

 DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) (200 mg per day) may be an effective treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[3]

 Pregnenolone (50 - 600 mg per day) may be of some benefit to Lupus Erythematosus patients.  ^[4]

 Testosterone may inhibit the progression of Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[5]

 Thymosin may improve the function of the Immune System in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.  ^[6]

Lipids

 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) may alleviate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[7]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may alleviate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - some SLE patients experience total remission of SLE symtoms following EPA supplementation (usually from Fish Oils).  ^[8]

Minerals

 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients often exhibit abnormally low Magnesium levels.  ^[9]

Organic Acids

 Orotic Acid (1,000 – 2,500 mg of Calcium Orotate per day) may be useful for the treatment of Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[10]

Prescribed Medications

 Anti-Malarials are prescribed to SLE patients for preventing and treating lupus skin Rashes, constitutional symptoms, Arthralgias, and Arthritis.  They also help to prevent Lupus flares and have been associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in SLE.  Drugs from this class include:

 Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)

 Etretinate (orally) may prevent the Skin lesions associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[11]

 Immunosuppressive Drugs are prescribed to SLE patients.  Drugs from this class include:

 Azathioprine (Imuran)

 Cyclophosphamide

 Methotrexate is occasionally used in the treatment of severe cases of SLE.

 Mycophenolate (CellCept)

 Minocycline (25 mg taken every 48 hours) may be useful for the treatment of SLE.

 Low-dose Naltrexone may be useful for the treatment of Lupus Erythematosus.

 Nandrolone Decanoate (an Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid) is approved for the treatment of SLE in women.

 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to SLE patients for symptomatic relief of Arthralgias, Fever, and mild Serositis.

 Glucocorticosteroids - Pharmaceutical are prescribed for the treatment of SLE.  Drugs from this class include:

 Methylprednisolone

 Prednisone

 Olmesartan (160 mg per day taken as one 40 mg dose each six hours) may be useful for the treatment of SLE.