Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for neuromuscular disorders.
Treatment of specific immune-mediated neuromuscular disorders involves consideration of many factors including severity of illness, concurrent medical problems, supportive therapies, and immune-modulating therapies. Many immune-modulating therapies are available, including steroids, an increasing number of immunosuppressive drugs, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Deciding on which immune-modulating therapy involves selecting from those with proven efficacy for a specific disorder and global considerations of which therapies are most appropriate for an individual patient's circumstances. IVIG has become a commonly used therapy as it is well tolerated, easily administered, and is often efficacious with a relatively rapid action. IVIG has become a first-line therapy for several immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathies and may play a role in treating exacerbations of myasthenia gravis and selected chronic treatment-refractory cases of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis.
Ross
Mark A
MA
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors