Restarting Benlysta After Treatment Interruption for SLE Flare

Dosing Recommendations

• The American College of Rheumatology recommends restarting biologics at standard dosing once wound healing is complete, without mention of repeating loading regimens, for patients with SLE who have undergone surgery 1, 2, 3
• The 2022 ACR guidelines suggest that belimumab should be continued through surgery or restarted promptly due to the risk of organ-threatening flares with treatment interruption in patients with severe SLE 1, 3, 5

Timing Considerations Post-Surgery

• The ACR/AAHKS guidelines recommend restarting biologic therapy once the wound shows evidence of healing, sutures/staples are removed, there is no significant swelling/erythema/drainage, and no evidence of infection—typically around 14 days post-operatively 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• At 4 months post-surgery, wound healing should be complete and surgical site infection risk is minimal, making it a suitable time to restart belimumab 1, 3