Table 3. Systemic therapy for SLE***.

*In patients who do not respond adequately to HC and GC, with residual disease activity. **In patients with intolerance/contraindications to immunosuppressants. ***[9]

SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus

	Mild/constitutional symptoms of SLE and no vital organ is affected	Severe symptoms of SLE and no vital organ is affected	Multi-organ damage and thrombocytopenia are present
Basic therapy	Hydroxychloroquine (HC); addition of methotrexate or azathioprine in case the patient does not respond to hydroxychloroquine
Induction therapy	Low-dose oral glucocorticoids (GC)	Medium-dose oral glucocorticoids	High-dose IV glucocorticoids
		Immunosuppressants, monoclonal antibodies (e.g., belimumab*, rituximab**)