Thalidomide for treatment of severe generalized discoid lupus lesions in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
We describe 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematous whose widespread discoid lupus erythematosus was unresponsive to systemic steroids and antimalarial agents. They showed dramatic improvement to thalidomide at a dose of 300 mg/d, with maximum benefit achieved within 15 weeks of therapy. Dosages of 50 to 100 mg/d were effective in maintaining remission for 1 year. However, thalidomide-induced neuropathy was observed in both cases.
Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah
A
Alfadley
Hanan
H
Al-Rayes
Walid
W
Hussein
Abdullah
A
Al-Dalaan
Khalid
K
Al-Aboud
D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide