Analysis of side-effects of medium- and low-dose cyclosporin maintenance therapy in psoriasis.
The side-effects of long-term cyclosporin A (CyA) treatment in 26 patients with severe psoriasis were evaluated. These patients had a mean PASI score of 30.2 and were treated with CyA for between 7 and 37 months (mean 19.5 months). There were three groups according to the dose of CyA, less than 2 mg/kg per day, 2-3 mg/kg per day and greater than 3 mg/kg per day. In all three groups, CyA was found to be equally effective. Treatment with CyA was discontinued in 12 of the 26 patients because of nephrotoxicity and/or development of hypertension. One was in the less than 2 mg/kg per day group, three were in the 2-3 mg/kg per day group and eight in the greater than 3 mg/kg per day group. There was no hepatotoxicity with CyA treatment. One patient developed two squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.
Department of Dermatology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
M A
MA
de Rie
M M
MM
Meinardi
J D
JD
Bos
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D013997:Time Factors
D003524:Cyclosporins; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase