Category Archives: Lupus

Breakthrough for lupus sufferers

March 10, 2011   Cancer, health, Lupus
 

Lupus Foundation: FDA Clears First Lupus Drug Since 1955

Editor’s Choice Main Category: Lupus Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals Article Date: 10 Mar 2011 – 7:00 PST

This week, after 56 years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Benlysta (belimumab), to treat patients who are receiving standard therapy, including corticosteroids, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Lupus is a serious, potentially fatal, autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissues. It disproportionately affects women, and usually develops between ages 15 and 44.

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and corticosteroids, were approved in 1955. Aspirin was approved to treat lupus in 1948.

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