Sjögren’s Treatment
There is currently no cure for Sjögren’s, but treatment can relieve dryness, protect the eyes and teeth, and control inflammation or other problems caused by the disease.
Treatment varies considerably because Sjögren’s affects people differently. Someone whose main problem is dry eyes may need very different treatment from someone with nerve, lung, kidney, or other systemic involvement.
Treating Dry Eyes
Mild dry eyes may be treated with artificial tears and lubricating eye drops or ointments. For more persistent symptoms, prescription eye drops may help increase tear production or reduce inflammation.
An ophthalmologist may also recommend punctal plugs, which help keep tears on the surface of the eye longer.
Regular eye care is important because severe dryness can damage the surface of the eye.
Treating Dry Mouth
Frequent sips of water, sugar-free gum or lozenges, and saliva substitutes may help. Prescription medications such as pilocarpine or cevimeline can stimulate saliva production in some people.
Dental care is especially important because reduced saliva substantially increases the risk of cavities and other oral problems. Regular dental visits and fluoride treatments may be recommended.
Fatigue and Joint Pain
Fatigue can be particularly difficult to treat. Exercise, adequate sleep, and identifying other conditions that may contribute to fatigue can sometimes help.
Medications may be used for joint and muscle pain. Hydroxychloroquine, a drug also used for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, is sometimes prescribed for joint pain, rashes, or other systemic symptoms, although not everyone benefits.
Fatigue may have several contributing causes, so treatment often involves looking for other problems that might be making it worse rather than relying on a single medication.
When Sjögren’s Affects Other Organs
Some people develop more significant inflammation involving the nerves, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, or other organs.
In these situations, rheumatologists may use corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medications, or biologic drugs that modify the immune system. Treatment depends on which organs are involved and how severe the disease is.
There is currently no FDA-approved systemic medication specifically developed to treat Sjögren’s disease, although medications approved for other inflammatory diseases are sometimes used. New treatments specifically for Sjögren’s are being studied in clinical trials.
Care Often Involves Several Specialists
A rheumatologist commonly coordinates treatment, but an ophthalmologist, dentist, neurologist, pulmonologist, or other specialist may also be involved.
Because Sjögren’s can affect many different parts of the body, good care often depends on looking at the whole disease rather than treating each symptom in isolation.
Learn More
Practical information about treating dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, pain, and systemic complications of Sjögren’s.
A detailed guide to treating Sjögren’s, including dry eyes and mouth, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and problems involving the nervous system and other organs.
Guidelines developed with medical specialists covering treatment of systemic disease, eye and oral problems, lung disease, and other complications of Sjögren’s.
Videos
Dr. Kara Wada explains why treating Sjögren’s can be complicated and discusses how patients and their doctors can approach the different symptoms and manifestations of the disease.
Dr. Wada discusses low-dose naltrexone (LDN), an off-label treatment sometimes considered for fatigue, pain, and other symptoms. Evidence specifically for Sjögren’s is still very limited, consisting largely of case reports rather than controlled clinical trials.