3. Drug-Induced Lupus (DIL)
In some cases, lupus can be triggered by specific medications, a condition known as Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus, or DIL. It’s a condition that’s temporary, with symptoms often disappearing once the inducing medication is discontinued.
DIL can be caused by numerous medications, but the most commonly implicated ones include certain heart medications like hydralazine and procainamide, and a few anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. The symptoms of DIL mirror those of SLE, including fever, arthralgia (joint pain), and serositis (inflammation of the linings of the lungs or heart). However, unlike SLE, DIL rarely involves major organs like the kidneys or brain.
The onset of DIL can occur anywhere from a few weeks to years after starting the inducing medication. An important distinguishing factor is that DIL does not usually cause skin problems, which are common in other forms of lupus. Moreover, DIL is more common in men because the drugs causing DIL, like procainamide and hydralazine, are frequently used to treat heart conditions that are more prevalent in men.
The main treatment for DIL is to identify and stop the use of the inducing drug. Once the medication is stopped, symptoms usually resolve within several days to weeks. Occasionally, if symptoms are severe, additional treatment such as steroids may be needed for a short period. (3)
