Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Drug Summary

Last updated: 08 July 2025

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Emollients, Cleansers & Skin Protectives


Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Titanium dioxide Cream

Apply thin coat 24 hourly or as often as needed

  • No photoallergic or contact properties
  • Opacity may be cosmetically undesirable

Immunosuppressants


Drug Dosage Remarks
Azathioprine Initial dose: 1-3 mg/kg/day PO in 2-3 divided doses
Maintenance dose:
<1-3 mg/kg/day or 50-100 mg/day
Adverse Reactions
  • Hematologic effects (bone marrow disorders, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia); GI effects (GI disturbance, nausea, pancreatitis, cholestasis, liver damage); Other effects (increased risk of secondary infection and neoplasia, hypersensitivity reaction)
Special Instructions
  • Monitor CBC with differential and platelet, LFTs, total bilirubin, CrCl, symptoms of infection
    • At least once weekly CBC on the first month; twice monthly on the second and third month, and monthly or more frequently if dosage alterations or other therapy changes are necessary
  • Patient should promptly report any signs of infection, bruising or bleeding or other manifestations of bone marrow depression; most neutropenia associated with immunosuppressants occurs sporadically many months after starting therapy
  • Contraindicated in patients with chickenpox/herpes zoster
  • Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment
Cyclophosphamide Lupus nephritis induction dose:
500 mg IV on week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10
Organ-threatening disease: 0.75-1 g/m2 BSA IV monthly for 6 months
Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (alopecia, skin and nails hyperpigmentation); GI effects (nausea/vomiting, mucositis); Other effects (inappropriate ADH secretion, carbohydrate metabolism disturbances, gonadal suppression, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis)
  • Severe reactions: Anaphylactic reactions, bone marrow failure, severe immunosuppression, urotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, hyponatremia, hemorrhagic cystitis
Special Instructions
  • Patient should promptly report any signs of infection, bruising or bleeding or other manifestations of bone marrow depression; most neutropenia associated with immunosuppressants occurs sporadically many months after starting therapy
  • Contraindicated in patients with impaired bone marrow function, bladder inflammation, urinary outflow obstruction and active infections
  • Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, DM, severe immunosuppression
Mycophenolic acid
(Mycophenolate mofetil)
As Mycophenolate mofetil
Organ-threatening disease or lupus nephritis induction dose:
750-1,500 mg PO 12 hourly (daily dose of up to 3 g)
Mild to moderate disease or maintenance dose of lupus nephritis: 500-1,000 mg PO 12 hourly
As Mycophenolate sodium
Induction and maintenance dose of lupus nephritis: 720 mg PO 12 hourly
Adverse Reactions
  • CV effects (hypertension, hypotension, peripheral edema, chest pain, tachycardia); CNS effects (pain, headache, insomnia, dizziness, anxiety); GI effects (abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting); Metabolic effects (hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia); Other effects (rash, fever, abnormal CBC)
Special Instructions
  • Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment, active GI disorders, and in those with intrauterine devices (due to increased risk of infection)
  • Risk of infection and activation of latent viral infection is increased; neutropenia (including severe neutropenia) may occur, requiring dose reduction or interruption of treatment
Biologic Agents
Anifrolumab 300 mg IV infusion over a 30-minute period every 4 weeks Adverse Reactions
  • Respiratory effects (nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, cough); Other effects (infusion-related reactions, herpes zoster)
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and anaphylaxis have been reported
Special Instructions
  • Avoid initiating treatment during an active infection and avoid use of live or live-attenuated vaccines
  • Before prescribing Anifrolumab, consider the individual benefit-risk in patients with known risk factors for malignancy
  • Contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis with Anifrolumab-fnia
Belimumab SLE
10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hour on days 0, 14 and 28 then every 4 weeks thereafter
or
200 mg SC once weekly
Transition from IV to SC:
Administer first SC injection 1-4 weeks after the last IV dose
Lupus Nephritis
10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hour every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses then every 4 weeks thereafter
or
Initial therapy with Belimumab:
400 mg (two 200-mg injections) SC once weekly for 4 doses, then 200 mg SC once weekly thereafter
Continuing therapy with Belimumab: 200 mg SC once weekly
Transition from IV to SC:
May transition any time after receipt of the first 2 IV doses
Administer first SC dose of 200 mg 1-2 weeks after the last IV dose
Adverse Reactions
  • CNS effect (migraine); GI effects (nausea, diarrhea); Psychological effects (suicide/suicidal ideation, depression); Dermatologic effects (rash, urticaria, pruritus, hypersensitivity reaction), Respiratory effects (upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis); Other effects (fever, leukopenia, injection site reactions, urinary tract infection)
Special Instructions
  • Not recommended for use in patients with severe active CNS lupus, HIV, history of/currently with hepatitis B/C, hypogammaglobulinemia or IgA deficiency, history of major organ transplant, hematopoietic stem cell/marrow transplant, or renal transplant
  • Patient's condition should be evaluated continuously
  • Should not be administered as an IV bolus
Calcineurin Inhibitors 
Tacrolimus
Lupus nephritis:
1-3 mg PO 24 hourly 
Adverse Reactions
  • CNS effects (headache, tremor, paresthesia, hearing loss, visual disturbances, peripheral neuropathies, convulsions); CV effects (hypertension, cardiac arrest, heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, palpitations, cardiomyopathies); GI effects (nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation, GI hemorrhage and ulceration); Respiratory effects (dyspnea, parenchymal lung disorders, pleural effusions, cough, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, asthma); Dermatologic effects (acne, alopecia, skin rashes, pruritus); Musculoskeletal effects (muscle cramps, asthenia, arthralgia); Hematologic effects (pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, coagulation disorders); Other effects (renal impairment, hyperlipidemia, febrile disorders, edema, liver dysfunction)
  • Potentially fatal: Polyoma virus infections, GI perforation
Special Instructions
  • Use with caution in patients with renal impairment and hepatic impairment, patient with risk factors for QT prolongation
  • Monitor for infections, ECG, BP, FBS, hematological, neurological (including visual) and coagulation parameters, electrolytes, hepatic and renal function, whole blood Tacrolimus trough concentration (especially during diarrhea episodes)
Voclosporin
Lupus nephritis:
23.7 mg PO 12 hourly 
Adverse Reactions
  • GI effects (diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, mouth ulceration); Renal effects (decreased GFR, renal impairment, acute kidney injury); Other effects (hypertension, headache, anemia, cough, UTI, alopecia, fatigue, tremor, decreased appetite)
Special Instructions
  • Establish an accurate baseline estimated GFR (eGFR) and check BP prior to starting Voclosporin; modify dose based on eGFR
  • Contraindicated in patients with known serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction to Voclosporin or any of its excipients, concomitantly using Ketoconazole, Itraconazole or Clarithromycin
  • Use with caution in patients with risk factors for hyperkalemia or QT prolongation
  • Monitor for neurologic abnormalities, drug interactions, renal function, serum potassium levels
  • Consider discontinuing therapy if without therapeutic benefit by 24 weeks
  • Avoid live vaccines

Disclaimer

All dosage recommendations are for non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women and non-elderly adults with normal renal and hepatic function unless otherwise stated. 
Not all products are available or approved for above use in all countries. 
Products listed in the Drug Summary are based on indications stated in the locally approved product monographs. 
Please refer to local product monographs in Related MIMS Drugs for country-specific prescribing information.  

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