Which medications can cause drug-induced lupus?

Drug-induced lupus is an autoimmune reaction triggered by the use of certain prescribed medications. While the symptoms closely resemble those of systemic lupus erythematosus—including fever, joint pain, pleurisy, and the development of antinuclear antibodies—kidney involvement is notably rare in drug-induced cases, and symptoms typically resolve after the offending medication is discontinued.12

Medications associated with the induction of a lupuslike disease include:

• Hydralazine: Used to treat high blood pressure.12
• Procainamide: Used for irregular heart rhythms.12
• Anticonvulsants: A variety of medications used to manage seizures.1
• Isoniazid: An antibiotic used primarily to treat tuberculosis.1
• Penicillin: A common antibiotic.1
• Penicillamine: A medication used for conditions such as Wilson disease or rheumatoid arthritis.1

Only a small proportion of individuals who take these medications develop the condition, and it is estimated that these drugs account for 3 to 12 percent of all cases identified as lupus.1