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What is the best treatment for Sjogren's syndrome?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 19, 2026

Treat systemwide symptoms.

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.

What triggers Sjögren's syndrome?

Scientists aren't certain why some people develop Sjogren's syndrome. Certain genes put people at higher risk of the disorder, but it appears that a triggering mechanism — such as infection with a particular virus or strain of bacteria — is also necessary.

What can make sjogrens worse?

Trans fats are found in foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, like many types of fried and fast foods. In addition to raising the risk of heart disease, they have a pronounced inflammatory effect on the body that can worsen the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome.

What medications make sjogrens worse?

Common medications that can cause sicca symptoms in any age group include antidepressants, anticholinergics, beta blockers, diuretics, and antihistamines. Anxiety can also lead to sicca symptoms. Women who use hormone replacement therapy may be at increased risk of dry eye syndrome.

Can Sjogren's go away?

There's currently no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, but there are several treatments that can help, such as: eye drops that keep your eyes wet (artificial tears) sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels that keep your mouth wet (saliva substitutes) medicine that helps your body produce more tears and saliva.

36 related questions found

What vitamins help with Sjogren's?

Herbs and Supplements for Sjogren's syndrome

  • Cysteine.
  • Evening Primrose.
  • Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
  • Omega-6 Fatty Acids.
  • Sulfur.

What happens if Sjogren's is left untreated?

Sjogren's comes with serious complications if left untreated, including: an increased risk of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. oral yeast infections. dental cavities.

Are there any new treatments for Sjogren's syndrome?

Several new, potentially disease-modifying drugs in the pipeline have renewed clinical optimism. St. Clair says existing treatment options include sialagogues such as pilocarpine and cevimeline that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of glandular manifestations of Sjögren syndrome.

What eye drops are best for sjogrens?

For severe dry eye syndrome, your ophthalmologist may prescribe cyclosporine eye drops twice a day. Commonly known as Restasis®, these drops decrease inflammation in the lacrimal glands, which produce tears, and can be used long term. It can take weeks or months for cyclosporine to alleviate dryness.

How do you stop Sjogren's progression?

Eat well and often. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is one of the ways to reduce Sjogren's syndrome flares and provide adequate nutrition, thereby reducing fatigue. Ensure that your diet consists of food with high fiber, healthy fats, and spices such as garlic, ginger, and turmeric.

What should I avoid with Sjogren's syndrome?

Decreased salivary flow (xerostomia) has been shown to impact the dietary choices of Sjögren's sufferers. Individuals who experience severe xerostomia tend to avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, dry or tough foods such as meats and breads, and sticky foods such as peanut butter.

Is Sjogren's a form of lupus?

Sjogren's syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition that often accompanies other autoimmune conditions. Some of these include lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It is estimated that up to 15 to 18 percent of people living with lupus also have Sjogren's syndrome.

How do I stop Sjogren's fatigue?

Five Ideas for Combating Fatigue When you have Sjogren's Syndrome

  1. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can contribute to mental and physical fatigue. ...
  2. Eat well. ...
  3. Get physically active. ...
  4. Get mentally active. ...
  5. Get adequate amounts of sleep.

Does sjogrens get progressively worse?

Symptoms are mild in most people but can be very severe in others. Symptoms can vary over time and may improve, worsen, or even go away completely for periods.

What does Sjogren's pain feel like?

Your joints may be painful and swollen due to inflammation, or you might feel that various parts of your body, such as your muscles, are achy and tender. Some people with this condition have headaches and migraines.

How long can a person live with Sjogren's syndrome?

Life expectancy and primary Sjogren's syndrome

Life expectancy in primary Sjogren's syndrome is comparable to that of the general population, but it can take up to seven years to correctly diagnose Sjogren's. Although life expectancy is not typically affected, patients' quality of life is, and considerably.

How does hydroxychloroquine treat sjogrens?

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, has been widely used to treat autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's. It works to modulate the immune system, which is overly active in these disorders, and also seems to reduce lipid levels and protect against blood clots and diabetes.

Does prednisone help Sjogren's syndrome?

Prednisone is a very effective medication to control many of the symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome including fatigue, arthritis, and vasculitis. High doses are typically used when any organs are involved. In the short-term, prednisone works very well to control symptoms caused by inflammation.

Does hydroxychloroquine help Sjogren's?

In the latest Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation Clinical Practice Guidelines, HCQ is recommended as a first-line therapy for inflammatory musculoskeletal pain associated with pSS, and a moderate medication strength is recommended [41].

Can Sjogren's syndrome go into remission?

The damage to salivary glands in Sjogren's syndrome cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be controlled and, rarely, the disease goes into remission.

What organs does Sjogren's affect?

Sjögren's syndrome can also affect other body organ systems. These organs include the skin, joints, muscles, blood, lung, heart, kidney, and nerves.

Does Sjogren's affect your feet?

A wide variety of nervous system complications are characteristic features of Sjogren's syndrome, of which peripheral neuropathy — damage of the peripheral nerves — is a major one. Peripheral neuropathy can cause weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet.

Does B12 help Sjogren's?

People with primary Sjögren's syndrome are six times more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, a study found, supporting the need for screening and treating vitamin B12 deficiency in these patients.

Can Sjogren's syndrome affect the heart?

Many studies show high cardiovascular risk in rheumatologic diseases and, recently, new data have revealed that patients with Sjogren's syndrome have a significantly higher risk for heart attack and stroke than general population.

Can Sjogren's cause hair loss?

Does Sjögren's syndrome cause hair loss? If you have Sjögren's syndrome, you might see some hair loss, and it might be as a result of the condition. There is a condition known as frontal fibrosing alopecia that is being found in higher numbers in people (mostly women) with autoimmune diseases.