Sponsored Ads
A New Free Report - What Is Lupus?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What is the medical definition of lupus?
- What are the symptoms of lupus?
- What tests are there for lupus? How do you get a diagnosis?
Fill in this form and we will send you the report immediately, which you are welcome to send on to friends or family!
Lupus Triggers
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Lupus!
Medications
With lupus there are good medications and bad medications, but there are no absolutes when it comes to contraindications. There are medications that help to treat lupus like steroids and antimalarial drugs, and those drugs can interact dangerously with other drugs. Also, medications known as sulfa drugs can cause certain lupus symptoms to surface.
Penicillin: People with lupus often have a greater allergic sensitivity to penicillin. Also, the drug can interact dangerously with the other lupus medications a patient may be taking. It is important to take this medication only under the supervision of a physician who knows all the other medications the patient may be taking.
Epilepsy drugs: Epilepsy can develop in lupus patients, especially those who suffer from seizures. Medication to manage epilepsy may be necessary, but it can cause a reaction if mixed with other lupus medications. Again, these are medications that need to be prescribed only by a doctor that is familiar with the other medications a patient may be taking.
Sulfa drugs: Sulfa drugs in themselves are not bad for lupus patients. They are often prescribed as an antibiotic for urinary tract infections. However, they can cause an increase in sun sensitivity and lower blood counts that result in a lupus flare. Other sulfa drugs are used as diuretics and diabetes medication. Therefore, if you are prescribed a sulfa drug is it important to be under the watch of a physician and take extra precautions.
Over-The-Counter: Since lupus patients are also more prone to allergic reactions, taking even an over the counter medication needs to be done with the permission of a physician. Some over-the-counter medications can cause an allergic reaction or interact improperly with other lupus medications causing flares or dangerous reactions.
Besides discussing current medications with the physician, it is important to know what medications have caused reactions in the past. Any medications that have caused even a mild reaction in the past should be avoided by anyone with lupus. Even a mild reaction could cause a serious lupus flare. Also, if you are given a medication that does not seem to be working right or causing you to feel like a flare is coming, discuss the situation immediately with your doctor.
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Lupus!
© Health Research Today
