Medical Definition of Drug-induced lupus
1.
An inflammatory autoimmune disorder, similar to lupus, that develops in response to the use of a particular medication. It is characterised by anti-histone antibodies. More benign than the usual disease, with less renal involvement. The syndrome clears after stopping the offending drug.
Drugs that are known to cause this reaction include procainamide, isoniazid, sulphasalazine, hydralazine, methyldopa, phenytoin, chlorpromazine and penicillamine.
The arthritis, cardiac, pulmonary and systemic features may be present, but the kidney involvement (nephritis) and neurologic disease are rare.
Symptoms generally resolve spontaneously after stopping the medication. Complications include myocarditis, pericarditis, thrombocytopenic purpura and infections.
(18 Jul 2002)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Drug-induced Lupus
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