title: Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of rheumatic skin disorders.
abstract: Cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs are regularly used to treat proliferative, immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders and some neoplastic diseases of the skin. Methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, and other related drugs have potential benefits in the treatment of severe and/or recalcitrant rheumatic skin diseases. The therapeutic window for these agents is narrow. The major uses of these drugs are for life-threatening cutaneous disorders or as steroid-sparing agents.
authors: Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40202, USA. jefca@aol.com
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Callen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017338:Cladribine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D000963:Antimetabolites; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D002699:Chlorambucil; D017338:Cladribine; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D013866:Thioguanine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate