There is no cure for SLE. Treatment is aimed at:
- Stopping health problems from worsening
- Treating problems when they happen
- Lowering the risk of health problems, such as harm to organs
- Maintaining or improving quality of life
SLE differs in each person. The treatments a person will have will depend on the problems they are having and how they impact life. The earlier SLE and flare ups are found and treated, the better.
Treatment may be:
Lifestyle changesMedicationsAlternative and complementary therapiesReferences
Lupus. American College of Rheumatology website. Available at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.
Lupus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/autoimmune-rheumatic-disorders/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle. Accessed March 22, 2022.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle-in-adults. Accessed March 22, 2022.
What causes lupus? Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at: https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-causes-lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.
What is lupus? Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at: https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-is-lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 03/22/2022