Active SCLE in a patient who is pregnant or breastfeeding presents a distinct management challenge: disease control must be achieved while accounting for the safety of both the patient and the developing or nursing infant. This protocol addresses that specific clinical situation.
This protocol applies to patients with active subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. This setting constrains the range of systemic therapies that can be safely used, making a structured, guideline-adherent approach particularly important.
Antimalarial therapy is the recommended first-line systemic option for active SCLE in this setting. For cases with more pronounced disease activity, addition of a systemic corticosteroid at a carefully limited dose may be considered alongside it.