Sjögren’s disease main medical treatments

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 For Sjögren’s disease (previously called Sjögren’s syndrome), treatment usually focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications, since there is no cure yet. What’s recommended depends on whether a person has the systemic dryness symptoms (dry eyes, dry mouth etc.) or also has systemic/whole-body involvement (joints, lungs, kidneys, nerves, etc.)

Sjögren’s medical treatments

Here’s a clear breakdown of the main medical treatments:

 1. Dry Eyes

  • Artificial tears (over-the-counter lubricating eye drops)

  • Gels or ointments at night for longer moisture

  • Prescription drops:

    • Cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) → reduce eye surface inflammation

  • Punctal plugs → tiny devices to block tear drainage, keeping natural tears longer

  • Moisture chamber glasses or humidifiers at home

 2. Dry Mouth

  • Saliva substitutes (sprays, lozenges, gels)

  • Sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva

  • Prescription medications that boost saliva:

    • Pilocarpine (Salagen)

    • Cevimeline (Evoxac)

  • Good dental care: fluoride treatments, regular check-ups (to reduce cavity risk)

 3. Joint and Musculoskeletal Pain

  • NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for mild pain and stiffness

  • If arthritis is persistent:

    • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) – often used to manage fatigue, joint pain, and skin symptoms

 4. Systemic Disease (affecting organs like lungs, kidneys, nerves)

  • Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) – for short-term inflammation control

  • Immunosuppressants, such as:

    • Methotrexate

    • Azathioprine

    • Mycophenolate mofetil

    • Cyclophosphamide (in severe organ involvement)

  • Biologic therapies (still under research, sometimes used in difficult cases):

    • Rituximab (targets B-cells) – mixed evidence, but may help in severe systemic disease

 5. Other Complications

  • Vaginal dryness → topical estrogen creams or lubricants

  • Raynaud’s phenomenon (if present) → vasodilators like nifedipine

  • Lymphoma risk → regular monitoring with blood tests and exams

Lifestyle & Supportive Care

  • Stay well-hydrated

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking (can worsen dryness)

  • Use humidifiers in dry environments

  • Gentle exercise to reduce fatigue and stiffness

Sjögren’s disease main medical treatments


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