Just as SLE and the kidney diseases it causes are very variable, so the therapies that can be used to treat it are very variable. Doctors will also pay attention to other issues as well as specific therapy. Separate information on this topic is available. The commonest immunosuppressive agents used in the treatment of SLE are steroids such as prednisolone tablets and methylprednisolone injections, cyclophosphamide , which comes as tablets and drips, and azathioprine . Most treatment can be done as an outpatient.
Some therapy needs to be given in hospital, but visits are usually short.
Some people can be sufficiently unwell with their SLE that they require admission to hospital. Other forms of treatment are available for SLE that affects other organ systems. In many cases when SLE affects the kidneys, treatment does not cure the condition, it just keeps it under control. If treatment is stopped, the disease may get worse again. In other cases, treatment is unable to undo the damage done, and the kidneys deteriorate.