There's no single "best" medicine for Sjögren's, as treatment targets specific symptoms and severity, but hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a commonly used first-line prescription to calm the immune system, while other immunosuppressants like methotrexate are used for systemic issues, alongside OTC options like NSAIDs for pain and artificial tears/saliva for dryness. Treatment often combines symptom relief (like lubricants, sprays, lozenges) with immune-modulating drugs (DMARDs) and sometimes stronger therapies for severe cases, tailored by a doctor.
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine, HCQ): Since Sjögren's is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive, medications that calm down the immune system are sometimes needed. Plaquenil is one of the safest drugs used to treat Sjögren's.
Many people think that Sjögren's disease only affects adults — but children can get Sjögren's disease too. What's more, it's likely that childhood Sjögren's is underdiagnosed. That means there are likely many children with Sjögren's disease who don't know they have it.
People with Sjögren's might experience symptoms like: Dry eyes that may feel itchy or gritty. Dry mouth that can also include trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Dry nose or throat, which may lead to frequent nosebleeds or coughing.
Immunosuppressive agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine) may improve the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome, although they do not alter the decreased lacrimal and salivary flow rates or the histologic markers of the disease.
This would include corticosteroids for inflamed muscles, drugs that promote more oxygen to dilate the vessels of the hands for individuals with Raynaud's (often seen with scleroderma or lupus), approaches that halt the development of erosions (bone destruction) with rheumatoid arthritis (e.g., anti-TNFs), ursodiol for ...
In Sjögren's disease, this type of arthritis usually affects the fingers, wrists and ankles. The shoulders, hips and knees may also be painful.
In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis.
A blood test can detect specific antibodies—immune system proteins that normally bind to harmful substances—that may signal autoimmune diseases. The antibodies associated with Sjogren's include anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies.
Most researchers believe that primary Sjögren's syndrome is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain people are born with specific genes that make them more vulnerable to a faulty immune system.
SARS-CoV-2 may trigger the development or progression of autoimmune diseases, as evidenced by increased autoantibodies in patients and the presentation of cardinal symptoms of SjD.
Patients with this level of disease may benefit from antibiotics or even a myringotomy tube (a tube placed in the eardrum to drain the middle ear). Dryness in the oropharynx due to Sjögren's can also potentially cause referred pain to the ears.
If joint pain is severe and does not respond to hydroxychloroquine, your doctor may prescribe methotrexate. This medication is effective in treating joint inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is generally well tolerated but requires monitoring by your rheumatologist.
Corticosteroids, a class of drugs that includes prednisone, are fast-acting and may be highly successful in halting severe symptoms of Sjögren's and/or a flare.
Nipocalimab is the only investigational treatment to be granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SjD (November 2024). It also received Fast Track Designation by the U.S. FDA earlier this year in April 2025.
Some people with Sjögren's find their hair to be dry or dull-looking. And some Sjögren's patients may also experience hair problems like: Dry and brittle hair. Alopecia: hair loss or thinning.
Ointments are the best moisturizers followed by creams. Lotions are not typically moisturizing enough for patients with Sjögren's. The best ointments are Vaseline® or Aquaphor®. If an ointment is too greasy for your taste, cream moisturizers like CeraVe®, VanicreamTM, Eucerin®, or Aveeno®can be used.
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, where the body's white blood cells attack healthy tissue and organs. With this disease, the immune system attacks the glands that keep our eyes and mouth lubricated. This is why dry eyes are very common with Sjögren's syndrome.
Dry mouth.
Restasis is a medication used to treat eye symptoms related to Sjogren's syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva do not function correctly.
Neurological complications may affect 10- 20% of those with Sjögren's disease and range from cognitive difficulties to burning toes and feet.
You should not take methotrexate while taking antibiotics containing trimethoprim-sulfa (Bactrim®, Sulfatrim®, etc…). If you are prescribed one of these medications for an infection, do not take your methotrexate that week.
Leflunomide (Arava®) Leflunomide is also an effective DMARD. Its efficacy is similar to methotrexate in terms of signs and symptoms, and is a viable alternative to patients who have failed or are intolerant to methotrexate.