Fumaric acid esters in severe psoriasis, including experience of use in combination with other systemic modalities.
BACKGROUND
Fumaric acid esters (FAE) are used as a systemic treatment for severe psoriasis in Germany but there has been only very little published experience from the U.K. The potential for use in combination with other systemic drugs has not been explored.


OBJECTIVE
To present data relating to the efficacy of FAE in severe psoriasis and to examine the potential dose-sparing effect and safety issues when FAE are combined with other systemic agents.


METHODS
We retrospectively analysed the records of patients who had received FAE for severe psoriasis either alone (in two cases) or along with other systemic medications (in 10 cases). We reviewed the efficacy of FAE and assessed whether dose reductions were achieved for other systemic drugs. Patients were monitored carefully for possible adverse effects.


RESULTS
Of 12 patients treated with FAE one discontinued the drug very early, due to flushing, while on a very low dose. The other 11 patients all demonstrated an improvement in psoriasis after starting FAE. Nine patients received FAE in combination with other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, acitretin, hydroxyurea and methotrexate. Seven achieved useful overall reductions in the dose of the other drugs. In two patients severe psoriasis was controlled using FAE alone. The side-effect profile of FAE was similar to that previously reported. There was no evidence of drug interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
FAE appear effective and less toxic than other systemic treatments for psoriasis. FAE were used successfully in combination with other systemic agents and generally enabled the doses of the more hazardous drugs to be reduced. Extremely careful monitoring is required when using FAE in such combined regimens as experience is currently very limited.
Balasubramaniam
P
P
George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton CV10 7DJ and Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.
Stevenson
O
O
Berth-Jones
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004952:Esters; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000139:chemically induced; D005650:Fumarates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004952:Esters; D005650:Fumarates; D016572:Cyclosporine; C032005:fumaric acid