Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder, much like idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus. As in idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus, there is antibody generation and "accidental" attack on normal healthy tissues in drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Symptoms and signs often resolve upon discontinuation of the offending drug, making it an important diagnosis for healthcare providers to make. An increasingly large number of medications have been linked to drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Hydralazine, isoniazid, and procainamide are the most common medications known to cause drug-induced systemic lupus, whereas hydrochlorthiazide, diltiazem (and other calcium channel blockers), and terbinafine are the most common causative agents in drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.