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COVID-19 & Minority Health Care ›

COVID-19 and Lupus

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Lupus raises your chances of catching any kind of
infection. So if you have lupus, you may be more likely
than other people to get COVID-19. And if you do, your
symptoms are more likely to be serious. That’s both
because of your condition itself and certain types of
medicines you may take for it.

At the same time, researchers think some other types of

lupus drugs might work to treat symptoms of COVID-19.
But more studies are needed to know for sure.

Right now, experts don’t know a lot about how COVID-19

a!ects people with lupus or those who take drugs that
slow down their immune systems. So don't change your
treatment without talking to your doctor. Instead, keep
taking your medicine, and try to avoid contact with the
virus.

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There are other things you can do every day to lower the
chances you’ll get sick from the new coronavirus.

Lupus and Your Risk of COVID-19

Your immune system is your body's main defense against
germs and illnesses. When you have lupus , you're
more prone to infections because your immune system
works di!erently than most people's. It becomes
overactive and attacks your body itself.
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Lupus a!ects many parts of your body. And people with

lupus may have other health problems. Some can make it
harder to fight an infection like COVID-19, including:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other

lung diseases
Heart disease
Kidney problems
High blood pressure
Diabetes

Lupus Drugs and COVID-19

You may take a type of drug for lupus that makes your
immune system less active, called an
immunosuppressant. While these drugs can make you
more likely to catch an infection, they also help control
your lupus. That's important because you’re more likely
to get sick from an infection when your disease is active.
You might hear that called a flare.

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Immunosuppressant drugs for lupus include:

Azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)

Belimumab (Benlysta)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)
Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
Leflunomide (Arava)
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
Prednisone
Rituximab (Rituxan)

You may also take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

(NSAID), like ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib (Celebrex),
for lupus symptoms. You may have heard reports that
these drugs can make COVID-19 symptoms worse. But the
FDA says there’s no evidence right now that this is true.
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Can Lupus Drugs Treat COVID-19?

Some lupus drugs, like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
and chloroquine (Aralen), change your immune system
without raising the odds you’ll get an infection.

Researchers around the world have been studying

hydroxychloroquine’s e!ects in people with COVID-19.
Some found early evidence of an e!ect against the new
coronavirus. But many of those trials were stopped when
they found serious side e!ects or failed to show results.

A"er early studies showed promise, the FDA issued an

emergency ruling that would allow doctors to use
chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (a less-toxic
derivative of chloroquine) in people who were in the
hospital with COVID-19. The agency later revoked the
ruling amid concerns about the drugs’ safety and how
well they work against the virus.

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The sudden interest in these drugs is making it hard for

some people with lupus to fill their prescriptions. But
national health groups are asking state pharmacy boards
to ensure they're available for people who depend on
them. And they’re urging drugmakers to keep up with
demand.

Some companies are donating hydroxychloroquine and

chloroquine for COVID-19 use. And the FDA is working
with them to make more. In the future, that should make
it easier for you to get the drug from your pharmacy.
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What if You Can’t Get Hydroxychloroquine

or Chloroquine?
You may worry if you run out of medicine. But the drug
can stay in your body for a while. You may not have a flare
for at least a few weeks. But to be safe, you may want to:

Get your refill early

Call di!erent pharmacies
Ask for a 90-day supply
Check with a compounding pharmacy

Make sure you say the medication is for your lupus. You
may need to talk to your pharmacist, doctor, and
insurance company about how to get more.

If you still can’t get your prescription, email the FDA at

drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov.

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If you can’t get enough hydroxychloroquine or

chloroquine, don’t start taking less. Instead, tell your
doctor you may run out. They may want to:

Lower your dose

Temporarily take you o! the drug
Change your medicine

How to Stay Safe

The best way for people with lupus to avoid getting sick is
to follow the safety steps recommended by public health
o!icials:

Avoid others who may have been infected.

Wash your hands well and o"en.
Avoid touching your nose, mouth , and eyes.
Disinfect surfaces in your home that are touched a
lot.
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Also, try to avoid anything that triggers your lupus. That

might include:

Physical or emotional stress

Sunlight
Certain drugs, like antibiotics or sulfa drugs

It’s a good idea to work with your doctor's o!ice to come

up with a lupus flare plan just in case.

What to Do if You Get Sick

Call your doctor if you don’t feel well or have any new
symptoms. Most cases of COVID-19 are mild. That means
you may be able to get better at home. But there are
symptoms you should pay close attention to, including:

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Fever
Dry cough
Shortness of breath

You may not have a fever, even if you’re sick, if you take
drugs that suppress your immune system. Also,
sometimes people with lupus have low fevers that come
and go. A fever can also be a sign that you’re having a
lupus flare.

Some symptoms are a sign of an emergency. Call your

doctor or 911 right away if you have:

A really hard time breathing

Constant chest pain or pressure
A new sense of confusion
A blue tint to your lips and face

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WebMD Medical Reference

| Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on August 18, 2020

Sources '
© 2020 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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