Is Cytoxan used to treat lupus?

Is Cytoxan used to treat lupus?

Cytoxan is a cytotoxic medication usually reserved for lupus patients with serious kidney problems who have not responded to other medications. The dosage of Cytoxan varies from person to person. It can be taken in tablet form, but more often it is given intravenously (IV) at the doctor’s office.

Why is Cytoxan used for lupus?

Cytoxan is in a class of drugs known as alkylating agents. This means it slows or stops the growth of malignant cells or other rapidly dividing cells, such as white blood cells that attack your body during a lupus flare.

What is the best medication for lupus nephritis?

For severe lupus nephritis, you might take medications that slow or stop the immune system from attacking healthy cells, such as:

• Steroids, such as prednisone.
• Cyclosporine.
• Tacrolimus.
• Cyclophosphamide.
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Mycophenolate (CellCept)
• Rituximab (Rituxan)
• Belimumab (Benlysta)

What drugs are approved for lupus nephritis?

Treatments for lupus nephritis include immunosuppressive drugs such as glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, and azathioprine. Belimumab and voclosporin are FDA-approved specifically for lupus nephritis.

What kind of lupus needs chemotherapy?

The chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide is an U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved treatment for patients with severe lupus nephritis. However, it must be given in high doses, which means that some patients can experience major side effects like infertility and bladder damage.

How long is Cytoxan treatment?

Cyclophosphamide is often used for three – six months to treat a condition and put it into remission. Afterwards, a medication that may be less potent with fewer side effects is used to maintain the disease in remission.

What is the standard of care for lupus nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is the most common organ-threatening manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The current standard of care for patients is treatment with a combination of steroids plus either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or cyclophosphamide.

How does Cytoxan work for kidneys?

Cyclophosphamide (brand name: Cytoxan) is a medication that lowers the body’s natural immunity. The immune system is thought to be involved in causing Nephrotic Syndrome. By lowering the immune system’s activity, this treatment may help patients suffering from Nephrotic Syndrome.

How long is a Cytoxan infusion?

Cytoxan takes an hour to infuse, but the entire treatment is a longer process and takes five to six hours. At HSS patients are given fluid for two hours prior to receiving the medication and for two hours afterwards.

What is the best treatment for systemic lupus?

The medications most commonly used to control lupus include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Antimalarial drugs.
• Corticosteroids.
• Immunosuppressants.
• Biologics.

What is the latest treatment for lupus?

People living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a new drug option. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved anifrolumab (Saphnelo) in early August — the first new drug approved for SLE in 10 years.