Immunosuppressive drugs: azathioprine in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.
Azathioprine may be tried for treatment of severe myasthenia gravis, in a dose of 2 mg/kg BW. With careful monitoring the side reactions may be controlled. The therapeutic response will occur after a time delay of 4-8 months. About one-third of patients with type II MG (severe, late onset, HLA B8-) will proceed to a complete but azathioprine-dependent remission, and the remaining two-thirds to a marked improvement. In type I MG (early onset, HLA B8+) azathioprine is less effective but will help keep down the need for corticosteroids or plasmapheresis.
D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications
D001379:Azathioprine