|
|
|
Hair Loss Study Abstract: Maintenance treatment with cyclosporin in atopic eczema.
|
- Title
- Maintenance treatment with cyclosporin in atopic eczema.
- Author
- Munro CS; Levell NJ; Shuster S; Friedmann PS
- Address
- University Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne,
U.K.
- Source
- Br J Dermatol, 1994 Mar, 130:3, 376-80
- Abstract
- We have studied two reducing-dose regimens intended to minimize toxicity of cyclosporin
A (CyA) while maintaining its capacity to control atopic eczema following induction of
remission. Twenty-four patients with severe chronic atopic eczema were first treated in a
double-blind randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study of CyA (5 mg/kg/day). All 19
who completed the study showed the expected highly significant improvements, compared with
placebo, in area involved, erythema, excoriation, lichenification, itch and requirement
for topical steroid. In 17 of the 19 patients, control was re-established with CyA 5
mg/kg/day, and they were then re-randomized to stepwise reduction at 2-week intervals in
either (i) the dose of CyA given daily, or (ii) the frequency with which the 5 mg/kg dose
was given. Fifteen patients (seven continuous reducing dose, eight intermittent fixed
dose) completed the planned reduction to either 1 mg/kg/day or 5 mg/kg every fifth day. In
both groups the response was sustained despite dose reduction, although control was less
good at a continuous dose of 1 mg/kg. Intermittent treatment was as good as or better than
continuous reducing dosage in this study, and in both groups there was further
deterioration after the drug was stopped. The findings suggest that the dose of CyA
required to control atopic eczema is less than that required to achieve remission, and
that the therapeutic index can be further improved by alternative dosing strategies. This
offers a new approach to maintenance treatment of eczema and other chronic refractory
dermatoses.
- Language of Publication
- LA=ENG
- Unique Identifier
- 94198186
content2 |
|
