Retrospective analysis of the use of cyclosporine in myasthenia gravis.
The authors reviewed the records of patients with myasthenia gravis who took cyclosporine for at least 6 months between November 1987 and January 1999. Of 57 patients who took cyclosporine for an average of 3.5 years, 55 (96%) had clinical improvement. The median time to best clinical response was 7 months. Corticosteroids were discontinued or decreased in 95% of 38 patients taking them. Major side effects included elevated serum creatinine (28%) and malignancy (11%). Five percent could not afford or tolerate the drug.
Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
E
E
Ciafaloni
N K
NK
Nikhar
J M
JM
Massey
D B
DB
Sanders
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine