Drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is an autoimmune disorder caused by certain medications. Symptoms of DILE mimic those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but generally occur only when the person is taking the drug, and resolve after discontinuing it. DILE can affect many different organs, including the skin, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Treatment of DILE is typically focused on removing the causative drug, while also managing the symptoms of SLE using medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids. DILE is rare, but is an important cause of SLE-like symptoms that must be taken into account when diagnosing SLE.