This is a multi center clinical trial to test the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for treatment of patients with active systemic lupus Erythematosus. Healthy control subjects who do not receive treatment are also recruited to serve as controls for the laboratory assays.

This is a clinical trial to be carried out in patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus. Participants will be asked to attend seven study visits over a period of 13 months. After an initial period where it will be determined that the patient can tolerate the medication, N-acetyl cysteine, then there will be a three-month double blind phase where the participant receives either the active treatment or a placebo. At each visit the participant will be asked to complete several questionnaires and blood and urine samples will be obtained. Healthy control individuals will be also enrolled for blood samples only; not for any treatment intervention.

$20 per visit completed