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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Had SLE, Lupus. On Prednisone And Plaquenil. Fear Organ Problems?

Hello, I have had SLE (Lupus) since 2004 and it was active for about 3 years and then inactive for 5 1/2 years and now it is back again. The problem that I am running into is that I am now allergic to the Prednisone that I was given when I was first diagnosed with it. I take Plaquenil and took the Prednisone along with it before but since I am allergic to the Prednisone all I am taking is the Plaquenil is there any other drugs that I can take to prevent organ problems. I should say that my Liver and now my Stomach are both affected by this disease.
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Rheumatologist,  's  Response
Hi. Lupus is a disease known for flares and exacerbations. There are a number of drugs available to prevent the flares of disease and to treat exacerbations. Plaquenil/ Hydroxychloroquine is one drug which you may need to take life long since there is evidence that it prevents many a complication due to this disease. Prednisone is also a drug which is usually prescribed for long periods tapering it to as little a dose as required. Allergy to prednisone is not very common though not impossible. There are a number of other alternatives to prednisone in the glucocorticoid class of drugs which can be substituted for. Other drugs called steroid sparing agents are added to reduce the dose of glucocorticoids to the minimun including azathioprine, mycophenolate, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide to mention a few. This disease requires regular monitoring and evaluation by a Rheumatologist to optimise treatment with minimal side effects and to pick up flares of disease at the earliest so that they can be controlled. I hope I answered your query. Thank you.
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Have Had SLE, Lupus. On Prednisone And Plaquenil. Fear Organ Problems?

Hi. Lupus is a disease known for flares and exacerbations. There are a number of drugs available to prevent the flares of disease and to treat exacerbations. Plaquenil/ Hydroxychloroquine is one drug which you may need to take life long since there is evidence that it prevents many a complication due to this disease. Prednisone is also a drug which is usually prescribed for long periods tapering it to as little a dose as required. Allergy to prednisone is not very common though not impossible. There are a number of other alternatives to prednisone in the glucocorticoid class of drugs which can be substituted for. Other drugs called steroid sparing agents are added to reduce the dose of glucocorticoids to the minimun including azathioprine, mycophenolate, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide to mention a few. This disease requires regular monitoring and evaluation by a Rheumatologist to optimise treatment with minimal side effects and to pick up flares of disease at the earliest so that they can be controlled. I hope I answered your query. Thank you.