Would you feel comfortable adding benlysta to patient already taking both mycophenolate and tacrolimus (and hydroxychloroquine) who still has some evidence of active lupus nephritis?

Topics: Rheumatology • Lupus nephritis • General Rheumatology • Nephrology • SLE

Answer from: at Community Practice

ABSOLUTELY (if the mycophenolate + tacrolimus combination therapy had had positive benefits on decreasing proteinuria plus was well tolerated thus far)!1. Per the package insert label for indications, "BENLYSTA is indicated for patients aged ≥5 with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or ac...

Comments

at Loma Linda University
What about voclosporin instead of tacrolimus?

at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
Yes, I have used BEL + HCQ + MMF + VOC before with...

at Loma Linda University
Thank you so much for your quick reply.

Answer from: at Academic Institution

I would first make sure they are actually taking their MMF. Twice a day medications are hard. Multiple pills twice a day harder. Have you ever checked a level?

Comments

at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
@Cuoghi Edens: I totally agree. Like you probably ...

Answer from: at Community Practice

This would be the ideal candidate, particularly if still serologically active. The main advantage of adding belimumab in this context is decreasing the likelihood of relapse as induction therapy is tapered, most notably in year 2 and year 3 of management.

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