One study only involved 13 patients, and the length of time they had been treated with Raptiva was relatively brief, 20 months being the longest time any patient was followed in this study. Given the fact that discoid lupus is a chronic condition that can require medical treatment for a lifetime, there is no way to know if the improvements observed in these patients taking Raptiva will last over time or if other side effects may develop. In addition to the joint pain, which occurred in some of the patients in this study, there are also reports that Raptiva can cause low platelet counts (platelets are important for normal blood clotting).
Haematological and serological changes in about half the patients suggest an autoimmune aetiology.
The treatments help to keep it under control until it settles, but this may take months or even years.