Tolerance of cyclosporine A in children with refractory juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
In an open trial, tolerance and safety of cyclosporine A was studied in 14 patients with refractory juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The doses varied from 4-15 mg/kg/day. Treatment lasted for greater than 12 months in 11 and 6 to 9 months in 3 patients. Eleven patients were withdrawn due to lack of efficacy (4) or side effects (7). A drop of greater than 2 g/l in hemoglobin and a marked rise in serum creatinine were the cause of withdrawal in 5 patients. The effect of cyclosporine on disease activity seemed to be mainly symptomatic and temporary. Probably, the dose should be kept below 5 mg/kg/day. Future controlled studies should be aware of a risk of aggravation of anemia in children treated with cyclosporine.
Ostensen
M
M
Oslo Sanitetsforening Rheumatism Hospital, Norway.
Høyeraal
H M
HM
Kåss
E
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000139:chemically induced; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003524:Cyclosporins