Pragmatic approaches to therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus

Antimalarial agents and NSAIDs are the mainstay of current treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)Additional glucocorticoids and cytotoxic agents—such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine and methotrexate —are used for SLE with specific organ manifestationsThe BAFF-targeted antibody belimumab is the first biologic agent to be approved by the FDA for SLE, and can be used as an add-on treatment for patients with highly active diseaseThe anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, although not currently approved for SLE, might be an option for patients with refractory disease