Methyldopa‐induced systemic lupus erythematosus

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Abstract
Thirteen months after starting methyldopa therapy, a 55‐year‐old white male patient presented with a syndrome of hemolytic anemia, arthritis, photosensitivity, and a positive antinuclear antibody test result. Methyldopa‐induced antinuclear antibodies were mainly IgG, directed against class H1 histones. Antibodies to native DNA and nonhistone proteins were not detected. Upon withdrawal of methyldopa therapy, and with a short course of prednisone and danazol therapy, the patient's symptoms and hemolytic anemia resolved. His clinical symptoms and serologic abnormalities returned to normal and remained negative after 2 years of followup.