Category: Lupus

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, between 15% and 60% of people with a chronic illness, such as lupus, experience clinical depression. For those navigating this dual diagnosis, the question, '**Can you take antidepressants with lupus?**', is critically important. The answer is yes, but it requires careful consideration and close collaboration with your healthcare team.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease requiring long-term management [1.9.2]. A key question for many is: how long does it take for lupus meds to work and provide relief from symptoms like pain and inflammation?

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, hydroxychloroquine is the most common antimalarial prescribed for lupus because it helps control symptoms with very few side effects. Patients often take this medication throughout their lives due to its profound and varied **benefits of taking hydroxychloroquine for lupus**.

According to MyLupusTeam, weight gain is the most highly reported side effect of steroids by people with lupus. While not all treatments cause it, the question 'Does lupus medication make you gain weight?' is a significant concern for many patients navigating their treatment journey.

Hair loss, or alopecia, affects approximately 45% of people with lupus at some point [1.5.1, 1.5.5]. While the disease itself is a primary cause, it's also crucial to ask: **what lupus medications cause hair loss**? Several common treatments can contribute to this distressing side effect.

In clinical trials, some patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) taking Saphnelo began experiencing improvements in their lupus symptoms, such as skin and joint issues, within weeks of starting treatment. However, this is just the beginning of a gradual process, so it's important to understand how long does it take for Saphnelo to start working and show its full effect.

A study found that 56% of lupus patients developed cachexia (involuntary weight loss) within five years of cohort entry [1.10.2]. While the disease itself can cause weight changes, the central question for many is: **what lupus medication makes you lose weight?**

Saphnelo (anifrolumab) is a targeted biologic therapy approved by the FDA as an add-on treatment for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A common and important question for patients considering this treatment is, 'Is Saphnelo like chemo?'

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Voclosporin (Lupkynis), making it the first oral treatment specifically for lupus nephritis, a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This landmark approval significantly expanded the options for patients grappling with this debilitating autoimmune disease.

According to clinical trials, neither weight loss nor weight gain was a reported side effect in studies evaluating Saphnelo. This evidence helps address the common patient question: **Does Saphnelo make you lose weight?** The answer is that it is not a direct effect, but indirect factors may influence body weight during treatment.