Procainamide-induced systemic lupus erythematosus with hypocomplementemia.

Procainamide-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a well recognized clinical syndrome believed to be characterized by normocomplementemia. However, in 7 cases of drug-induced SLE recorded in the literature, hypocomplementemia was found. The present report concerns a well documented case of procainamide-induce SLE with hypocomplementemia. The patient improved and complement values returned to normal after procainamide therapy was discontinued and replaced by digitalis and steroid therapy.