Assessment of the adjuvant effect of tacrolimus in the management of pemphigus vulgaris: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Introduction: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of tacrolimus compared with azathioprine in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

METHODS:

About 23 patients received prednisolone and azathioprine, and 23 patients prednisolone and tacrolimus for 6 months. Pemphigus activity scores, the time that new bulla formation stopped, the time corticosteroid was tapered, cumulative steroid dosage and medication side effects were analyzed.

RESULTS:

In the control group, the new bulla formation was ceased after a mean ± SD of 11.8 ± 4.7 days, and steroid tapering was done after a mean ± SD of 28.3 ± 5.45 days. Of the 23 patients receiving prednisolone and tacrolimus, the new bulla formation was ceased after a mean ± SD of 12.9 ± 5.26 days, and steroid tapering was done after a mean ± SD of 28.2 ± 5.39 days. About 8.6% of patients did not reach remission in each group. In patients receiving azathioprine, life-threatening side effects were seen in 1 (4.7%), moderate side effects in 2 (9.5%) and mild side effects in 1 (4.7%). In patients receiving tacrolimus, moderate side effect was seen in 1 (5%) and mild in 1 (5%).

CONCLUSION:

Tacrolimus effects are comparable to azathioprine as pemphigus vulgaris adjuvant treatment, also it has less severe side effects. Trial registration No. IRCT2012073010450N1 available at www.IRCT.ir.

• Authors: Ladan Dastgheib, Maryam Sadat Sadati, Mohammad Baghernejhad
• Journal: The Journal of dermatological treatment (J Dermatolog Treat) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 90-3 (Feb 2015) ISSN: 1471-1753 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24552352 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Prednisolone
• Azathioprine
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Azathioprine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pemphigus (drug therapy, pathology)
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Tacrolimus (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult