Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1.
Plaques on beard and scalp in patient with discoid lupus erythematosus.
- Figure 2.
Critical alopecia on scalp caused by discoid lupus erythematosus.
- Figure 3.
Extensive loss of scalp hair in a patient with discoid lupus.
- Figure 4.
Close-up view of plaque in a patient with discoid lupus.
Tables
Name of Drug Dose Adverse Effects Remarks Topical and intralesional steroids Start with potent topical preparation, strength of intradermal triamcinolone 3 to 5 mg/mL Cutaneous atrophy, telengiectasiae, striae, and purpura with topical steroids; atrophy and dyspigmentation with intralesional steroids Side effects from systemic absorption insignificant with topical steroids but can occur with intralesional steroids Antimalarials Start with 200 mg per day, no more than 6.5 mg/kg/day to be administered Gastrointestinal upset, ocular toxicity, pruritus, drug eruptions, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, haemolysis Ocular toxicity more marked with chloroquine Topical tacrolimus 0.1% topical ointment Burning, irritation of skin, pruritus Contraindication- infections Thalidomide Initial dose of 100 to 200 mg/day, usual maintenance dose of 50 to 100 mg/day Teratogenicity, polyneuropathy, drowsiness, nausea, skin eruptions, dryness of mouth and skin, oedema Polyneuropathy uncommon with use of low doses Azathioprine Usual starting dose of 50 to 100 mg/day, usual maintenance dose of 25 to 50 mg/day Myelosuppression, nausea, infections pancreatitis, rarely hepatotoxicity Serum thiopurine methyltransferase should be measured Cyclosporin Initial dose of 4 to 5 mg/kg/day, which can be reduced with improvement Hypertension, nephrotoxicity, hyperlipidemia, hypomagnesemia, gingival hyperplasia, headache, tremor, paresthesia, hypertrichosis, malignancy Contraindications include uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled infections, and malignancy Mycophenolate mofetil Usual dose of 1 g twice a day Gastric upset, headache, tremor, hypersensitivity, anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, infections, neoplasia Full blood counts should be checked regularly Methotrexate 5 to 15 mg once a week followed by initial test dose of 2.5 mg Gastrointestinal upset, myelosuppression, liver toxicity, pulmonary fibrosis Monitor full blood count, liver function tests, and renal function Acitretin 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day Teratogenicity, hyperlipidemia, dryness of skin, mucous membranes, taste disturbances, hair loss Monitor full blood count, liver function tests, fasting lipids
