The treatment of SLE is controversial. Because the disease has such a highly variable course and because symptom patterns differ greatly among different patients, the response to treatment is difficult to evaluate. In the absence of carefully controlled drug trials, recommendations for therapy must, unfortunately, be based on less objective criteria.
Sunlight appears to cause flare-ups of systemic manifestations as well as skin disease.
These preparations contain both PABA ester and benzophenones or other combinations of agents that block both the erythema spectrum and the long-wavelength spectrum of ultraviolet light. Neither oral contraceptive use nor postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy is harmful in SLE patients. Estrogens are generally avoided in patients with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, although this approach has not yet been supported by clinical trials. Side effects other than gastritis are unusual. Some patients with active SLE may experience aspirin-induced hepatitis.