Long-term treatment of generalised myasthenia gravis with FK506 (tacrolimus).
Efficacy and safety of long term use of FK506 (2-4.5 mg/day) for a maximum of two years were evaluated in 12 patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (MG). At the end of the study, eight patients (67%) showed improvement in either MG score or Activities in Daily Living score, and prednisolone dosage could be reduced in seven patients (58%), with a mean reduction ratio of 37%. Long term use of FK506 for MG can be more effective than short term administration, with no serious side effects.
Konishi
T
T
Department of Neurology, Utano National Hospital, 8, Ondoyama-cho, Narutaki, Kyoto 616-8255, Japan. konishi@unh.hosp.go.jp
Yoshiyama
Y
Y
Takamori
M
M
Saida
T
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus