The treatment regimen depends on the affected target organs and disease severity. Sun exposure should be minimized and include use of a sunscreen. Patients are treated to promote clinical well-being, using serologic markers of disease activity as guidelines, including serum complement levels. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, used to treat arthralgia and arthritis, are used with caution because patients with lupus are more susceptible to hepatotoxicity. Hydroxychloroquine is often used to treat mild manifestations including skin lesions, fatigue, arthritis, and arthralgia. Hydroxychloroquine may also reduce the risk of thromboembolic disease and lowers lipid levels.
Patients with thrombosis and antiphospholipid antibodies or a lupus anticoagulant should receive anticoagulant medication at least until lupus is in remission. The length of therapy is controversial....
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