Certain medications can trigger a condition called drug-induced lupus, a form of lupus that develops as a reaction to specific prescription drugs. Although it shares many symptoms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), drug-induced lupus often improves after the responsible medication is stopped under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

In this video, I explain what drug-induced lupus is, which medications are most commonly associated with it, how it differs from systemic lupus, how it is diagnosed, and what steps to take if you think a medication may be causing your symptoms. We’ll discuss medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, seizures, infections, acid reflux, and certain rheumatologic diseases that have been linked to drug-induced lupus.

If you have lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or another autoimmune disease, understanding potential medication side effects can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team. Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first speaking with your physician.