Cutaneous lupus erythematosus treatment algorithm. Treatment of mild or local disease begins with topical therapies, whereas treatment of severe or widespread disease begins with systemic therapies. If the response to therapy is inadequate, arrows indicate the direction of treatment progression. In many cases, combining therapies from multiple classes (e.g. first- and second-line systemic treatments) may be necessary.
HCQ = hydroxychloroquine; QC = quinacrine; CQ = chloroquine; MTX = methotrexate; MMF = mycophenolate mofetil