Lupus: Your GoodRx Guide

Definition

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a life-long disease that can affect any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body — causing inflammation and damage.

There are four different types of lupus:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): This is the most common type of lupus, and is the main focus of all the information here.

• Cutaneous lupus: This causes only the skin-related symptoms of lupus.

• Drug-induced lupus: This type of lupus is caused by medication you might be taking for something else. The symptoms usually go away when you stop taking the medication.

• Neonatal lupus: When a person with lupus gives birth to a baby, the newborn can sometimes have lupus symptoms. These symptoms usually go away within 6 months. 

People with lupus tend to have symptoms that come and go over time (flare-ups). Though there’s no cure for lupus, medications and good care help many people with lupus live long, full lives.

Causes

Lupus is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors 

Certain genes can put you at risk for lupus. If others in your family have lupus or other autoimmune conditions, that could increase your risk. Factors in your environment — including viruses that you have been exposed to — can also affect whether or not you will get lupus. 

Some people are more likely than others to get lupus

Lupus is much more common in women than in men. And, although people of any ethnicity can get lupus, it is more common in people who are: 

• Black

• Hispanic/Latino

• Asian American

• American Indian

• Native Hawaiian

• Pacific Islander

Lupus can appear at any age, but people usually start getting symptoms between the ages of 15 and 44. It is more likely to start earlier — and to be more severe — in people of color.

Symptoms

Lupus causes a wide range of symptoms

The immune system attack in lupus can target different areas in your body, so there is a wide range of symptoms. That said, most people with lupus have some symptoms in common. This includes:

• On-and-off fever 

• Feeling very tired

• A skin rash across the cheeks and nose (butterfly rash)

• Joint pain

Lupus usually follows an on-again, off-again pattern. It never goes away completely, but many people with lupus go through good times with few symptoms (called remission) and bad times with many (called flare-ups). 

Lupus can cause severe problems

Over time, the damage caused by lupus can have a big impact on your health. Some of the more serious effects of lupus can even shorten your life. Here are the most common complications of lupus:

• Skin rashes and sores

• Dry eyes and mouth

• Kidney problems

• High blood pressure

• Swelling of the legs, arms, and face

• Joint swelling, stiffness, and pain (arthritis)

• Heart problems

• Lung problems

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Confusion and memory loss

• Changes in thinking and behavior

Diagnosis

If you’re concerned about lupus, talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. Though there’s no one single test that can diagnose lupus, your provider can help put the pieces of the puzzle together. 

If your provider suspects you might have lupus, they will order a lab blood test to look for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in your blood. These are antibodies that are present in almost all people with lupus. 

In fact, according to the American College of Rheumatology, if your ANA test is negative (meaning you don’t have it) you probably do not have lupus. 

But if ANA is detected, you might have it. In this case, the next step will be getting other tests that can help your provider make a diagnosis. At this point, your primary care provider might also suggest that you see a rheumatologist — a doctor with extra experience diagnosing and managing lupus. 

Other tests and procedures that can help with diagnosis include:

• Additional blood tests

• Urine test 

• Biopsy

• Lung function test

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)

• Ultrasound

• X-ray

• CT scan

• MRI

Medications

Even though there’s no cure for lupus, good treatments are available. Medications can help you live a full life with lupus, by preventing and treating lupus flares and protecting your body from further damage. 

Lupus medications can keep your immune system under control, and reduce inflammation:

• Antimalarial medications: like hydroxychloroquine

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): like ibuprofen

• Corticosteroids: like prednisone

• Immune-modulating medications: like cyclophosphamide and belimumab

In many cases, people with lupus are treated with daily hydroxychloroquine, and with short-term prednisone added on when needed. Other medications may be added, depending on your symptoms and your overall health.  

Your provider may also recommend medications that can help with specific symptoms, or lupus-related health problems. Examples include:

• Antidepressants: for depression or anxiety

• Cholesterol-lowering medication: to protect your heart and blood vessels

• Blood thinners: to prevent blood clots and strokes

• Topical medications: for skin rashes and sores

Living

Living with lupus can be challenging, just like any long-term health condition. It’s important to take steps to support your mental and physical health. 

For people to manage lupus, it can be helpful to:

• Stop smoking 

• Protect your skin from the sun

• Stretch and get regular exercise

• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet

• Keep up with regular follow-ups with your medical team 

• Learn to manage stress

• Get enough good-quality sleep every night

• Keep up with regular vaccinations

• Connect with the lupus community