Several very rare side effects of non-steroidal drugs may be mistaken for signs of lupus. The drugs may cause fever or skin rashes that can easily be confused with signs of active lupus. The drugs may produce changes in the kidney leading to edema or abnormalities on urinalysis or blood tests that resemble lupus nephritis. Similarly, non-steroidal drugs have been shown to cause fever and headache that can mimic a type of neurologic disease seen in lupus. Recognition of these side effects is important since the symptoms are promptly reversed simply by stopping the drug.
Corticosteroids are drugs with very potent anti-inflammatory properties.
They may be used as creams or ointments for lupus skin rashes or given as pills or injections. Most signs of lupus respond rapidly to corticosteroid treatment and at times, corticosteroids may actually be life saving. The decision to begin corticosteroids and the details as to what type and dose of corticosteroid to use is highly individualized and depends on the needs of the patient. In most instances, the corticosteroid is given as a single dose in the morning. The longer a person has been on corticosteroids, the more difficult it becomes to lower the dose.