The exact cause of lupus is unknown. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues in the body, which causes inflammation and damage to the tissue.

Triggers for lupus include:

• Drug induced lupus can be triggered by the use of:
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Quinidine (Quinaglute)
• Isoniazid (INH)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Infections
• Other autoimmune diseases