title: Successful long-term thalidomide therapy for discoid lupus erythematosus-lichen planus overlap syndrome.
abstract: Although thalidomide is a U.S. Food and Drug Admistration (FDA) approved medication for erythema nodosum leprosum and multiple myeloma, it has many off-label uses, including for discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), Behçet's disease, apththous ulcers in HIV patients, and prurigo nodularis. Herein, we present a patient with an overlap of discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planus who was successfully treated with thalidomide for over 19 years without significant side effects. We propose that some of the most common side effects, including peripheral neuropathy, numbness, parasthesias, sedation, and constipation, can be avoided at lower doses, typically less than 100mg/day.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sonoa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago. iaronson@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Iris K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Aronson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide