Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Market Size, Growth and Insights By Treatment (Corticosteroids, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Antimalarials, Immunosuppressive agents and immune modulators), By Route of Administration (Oral, Intravenous, Subcutaneous) and By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies) – Forecast to 2030

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Market Synopsis

The systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market is expected to reach USD 2.11 Billion by 2030 at 8.80% CAGR during the forecast period 2022-2030. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that causes inflammation in connective tissues, like the lining of blood vessels and cartilage. Systemic lupus erythematosus medication includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarials, and corticosteroids amongst others. Early Systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce the adverse effects of SLE and improve the chances of having a better life. SLE treatment currently includes administering drugs from four categories, namely corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarials, and Immunosuppressive agents and immune modulators.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Market Influencer

Research and development for the launch of drugs, by key players, for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Market Drivers

• High prevalence & incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus: The worldwide prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in 2018 was estimated to be 150 per 100,000 individuals with an incidence of around 1 to 10 per 100,000 persons per year.

• Product launches by key players

• Strong product pipeline: As of the third quarter of the year 2019, there were around 170 ongoing clinical trials on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

• Increasing awareness regarding systemic lupus erythematosus

Market Restraints

• Stringent regulatory policies


• Side effects of medications

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Market Segmentation

By Treatment

• Corticosteroids: SLE treatment involves the use of corticosteroids, which inhibits the immune system from attacking the healthy cells of the body. Prednisone is the most frequently prescribed corticosteroid for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): This class of drugs decreases pain, reduces fever, and decreases inflammation. In around 80% of the cases, systemic lupus erythematosus medication involves the use of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

• Antimalarials: Although initially antimalarials were used to treat malaria, it was later found that these drugs help reduce joint and muscle pain, inflammation of the lining of the lungs and heart, fatigue, and other symptoms of lupus. New drug approvals are expected to drive the growth of this segment. For instance, in July 2018, Lupin received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its generic version of antimalarial Plaquenil.

• Immunosuppressive agents and immune modulators: In specific cases, immunosuppressive agents can be used to suppress the overactive immune response. The increasing demand for drugs is expected to drive the growth of this segment. For instance, in 2018, sales of ballista (an immunosuppressant drug) increased by 24% in the US as compared to that in 2017.

By Route of Administration

• Oral: This segment generally involves tablets and capsules for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

• Intravenous: This category includes drugs administered via veins of the patient and has shown a faster effect as compared to drugs administered via oral route.

• Subcutaneous: Drugs injected under the skin, generally using a needle and syringe, are included under this category.

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies: Since patients admitted to hospitals prefer hospital pharmacies for purchasing prescribed drugs, and due to an increase in the number of hospitals, hospital pharmacies segment is expected to hold the largest share in the year 2018.

• Retail Pharmacies: The segment is expected to hold the second-largest systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market share.

• Online Pharmacies: It is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period as increasing awareness regarding E-commerce has resulted in a growing trend for purchasing medicines online.

By Region

• Americas: Holds the largest systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market share due to high healthcare expenditure and the presence of key market players.

• Europe: The second-largest regional systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market due to increasing research and measures taken for SLE management.

• Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing regional systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market, due to increasing awareness regarding systemic lupus erythematosus treatment and increasing population affected by SLE.

• Middle East & Africa: The smallest systemic lupus erythematosus treatment market due to limited healthcare infrastructure and lack of awareness regarding systemic lupus erythematosus treatment options.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Market Key Players

• Sanofi (France)


• Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland)


• Novartis AG (Switzerland)


• Pfizer Inc. (US)


• GlaxoSmithKline plc (UK)


• AstraZeneca (UK)


• Eli Lilly and Company (US)


• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (US)


• Amgen Inc. (US)


• Anthera (US)


• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US)