Efficacy and safety of long-term mycophenolate sodium therapy in pemphigus vulgaris.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pemphigus is a chronic immunobullous disease, characterized by formation of blisters and erosions in skin and/or mucous membranes. This severe disease requires systemic immunosuppressive therapy. However, some patients are refractory, and long-term use of immunosuppressive agents can cause serious side-effects. Mycophenolic acid is increasingly being used as a corticosteroid-sparing agent or as monotherapy in immunosuppressive regimens.

OBJECTIVES:

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mycophenolate sodium, a sodium salt of mycophenolic acid, in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

METHODS:

Six patients who were diagnosed as pemphigus vulgaris with active, refractory disease were treated with mycophenolate sodium. Three patients received mycophenolate sodium monotherapy; three patients received mycophenolate in combination with steroid. All patients were monitored regularly.

RESULTS:

Mycophenolate sodium was well tolerated with a similar efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil, and no side-effects have been observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mycophenolate sodium appears to be an effective and safe alternative in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

• Authors: E Bulbul Baskan, M Yilmaz, S Tunali, H Saricaoglu
• Journal: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 23 Issue 12 Pg. 1432-4 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1468-3083 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19470052 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Mycophenolic Acid

Topics

• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Mycophenolic Acid (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Pemphigus (drug therapy)