Safety of short-term cyclosporin in atopic dermatitis
Keywords:
Cyclosporin, atopic dermatitis, short termAbstract
Background Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive drug, which is also being used indermatology in different indications. Although its toxicity is very high but in low dose andfor short term it can be used relatively safely.Patients and methods 25 male and female patients within age group 15-65 (mean 27.1) wereselected. There were 11 males (44%) and 14 females (56%). The study was divided into threeperiods. Pre treatment period comprising the evaluation period. Treatment period of 10 weeksduration in which cyclosporin was given to all patients in a dose of 3-5mg/kg/day.Fortnightly visits were scheduled in which clinical examination and laboratory profiles wereevaluated. Post-treatment follow up period of 12 weeks during which adverse effects weremonitored.Results Serum creatinine level remained in normal range in all the patients. There was nochange in all the other laboratory parameters evaluated. The mean percentage increase overbaseline of serum creatinine concentration remained relatively stable throughout the study.No patient was withdrawn from the study because of elevation of serum creatinine.Conclusion Cyclosporin is safe when used in low dose and for short-term therapy.References
Lauerma AI, Granlund H, Reitamo S.
Use of the newer immunosuppressive
agents in dermatology. Bio Drugs 1997;
: 96-106.
Schreiber SL, Crabtree GR. The
mechanism of action of cyclosporin A
and FK506. Immunol Today 1992; 13:
-42.
Bornhövd E, Burgdorf W, Wollenberg
A. Macrolactam immunomodulators for
topical treatment of inflammatory skin
diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;
: 736-43.
Van Joost T, Stolz E, Henle F. Efficacy
of low dose cyclosporin in severe atopic
skin disease [Letter]. Arch Dermatol
; 123: 166–7.
Ho V C, Griffiths E, Berth-Jones J et al.
Intermittent short courses of
cyclosporine micro emulsion for the
long-term management of psoriasis: A
-year cohort study. J Am Acad
Dermatol 2001; 44: 643-51.
Hoyer P. Complications of cyclosporin
therapy. Contrib Nephrol 1995; 114:
-23.
Naeyaert JM, Lachapelle JM, Degreef
H et al. Cyclosporin in atopic
dermatitis: review of the literature and
outline of a Belgian consensus.
Dermatology 1999; 198: 145-52.
Harper JI, Ahmed I, Barclay G et al.
Cyclosporin for severe childhood atopic
dermatitis: short course versus
continuous therapy. Br J Dermatol
; 142: 52-8.
Touw CR, Hakkaart-Van Roijen L,
Verboom P et al. Quality of life and
clinical outcome in psoriasis patients
using intermittent cyclosporin. Br J
Dermatol 2001; 144: 967-72.
Jan V, Vaillant L, Bressieux JM et al.
Short-term cyclosporin monotherapy for
chronic severe plaque-type psoriasis.
Eur J Dermatol 1999; 9: 615-7.
Mirmirani P, Willey A, Price V. Short
course of oral cyclosporine in lichen
planopilaris..J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;
: 667-71.
Shapiro J, Lui H, Tron V, Ho V.
Systemic cyclosporine and low-dose
prednisone in the treatment of chronic
severe alopecia areata: A clinical and
immunopathologic evaluation. J Am
Acad Dermatol 1997; 36: 114-7.