title: Systemic use of non-biologic corticosteroids in orofacial diseases.
abstract: Systemic non-biologic agents have long been in clinical use in medicine - often with considerable efficacy, albeit with some adverse effects--as with all medications. With the advent of biologic agents, all of which currently are restricted to systemic use, there is a growing need to ensure which agents have the better therapeutic ratio. The non-biologic agents (NBAs) include a range of agents, most especially the corticosteroids (corticosteroids). This study reviews the corticosteroids in systemic use in management of orofacial mucocutaneous diseases; subsequent studies discuss corticosteroid-sparing agents used in the management of orofacial diseases, such as calcineurin inhibitors used to produce immunosuppression; purine synthetase inhibitors; and cytotoxic and other immunomodulatory agents.
authors.affiliation: NKUA, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
keywords: corticosteroids; immunosuppressants; mouth; mucosa; oral; steroids