eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Bullous Diseases

Bullous Pemphigoid: Treatment & Medication

Author: Lawrence Chan, MD, Department Head and Director of Skin Immunology Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Microbiology/Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 14, 2008

Treatment

Medical Care

  • As in other autoimmune bullous diseases, the goal of therapy is to decrease blister formation, to promote healing of blisters and erosions, and to determine the minimal dose of medication necessary to control the disease process.
  • Therapy must be individualized for each patient, keeping in mind preexisting conditions and other patient-specific factors.

Consultations

Treatment of patients with BP requires coordination of care between the dermatologist and the patient's primary care provider.

  • Patients with oral disease may require an otolaryngologist and/or a dentist for evaluation and care.
  • An ophthalmologist should evaluate patients with suspected ocular involvement and those requiring prolonged high-dose steroids.

Diet

  • The lesions may flare in patients with oral disease after eating hard and crunchy foods, such as chips, raw fruits, and vegetables.
  • For patients treated with systemic corticosteroid for longer than 1 month, a combined supplement of calcium and vitamin D should be instituted to prevent osteoporosis. The dosage and the frequency are stated in the recommendations established by the American College of Rheumatology Task Force in 1996.28
  • In addition to calcium and vitamin D supplementation, patients on long-term treatment with systemic corticosteroids should be taking bisphosphonate, a specific inhibitor for osteoclast-mediated bone resorption (eg, alendronate).

Activity

Patients should be instructed to avoid direct physical trauma to their skin surfaces. For example, localized BP has rarely been described peristomally.

Medication

Treatment is directed at reducing the inflammatory response and autoantibody production. Although target-specific therapy is the "Holy Grail" for immunodermatologists, non–target-specific treatments are currently used. The most commonly used medications are anti-inflammatory agents (eg, corticosteroids, tetracyclines, dapsone) and immunosuppressants (eg, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide). An article from Europe provided evidence that strong topical corticosteroid treatment may achieve disease control while avoiding systemic adverse effects from systemic corticosteroids.29

Proper treatments of bullous pemphigoid depend on the severity of the disease.  For localized disease, topical steroids plus the systemic anti-inflammatory (tetracycline and nicotinamide) may be sufficient. Effects of monotherapy with nicotinamide are unknown. For more severe cases, systemic steroid along with immunosuppressives may be needed to control the disease.  If the diseases are difficult to control, one should consider the treatment of anti-CD20 antibody (Rituximab) which is relatively specific in targeting the antibody-producing B cells.30,31,32

Anti-inflammatory agents

These agents inhibit the inflammatory process by inhibiting specific cytokine production and vascular permeability. They may also stabilize granulocyte membranes and prevent release of key enzymes.


Prednisone (Deltasone)

May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity. When taken orally, it is used alone or in conjunction with other immunosuppressive agents for treating BP.

Adult

1 mg/kg/d not to exceed 80 mg/d; taper as symptoms resolve

Pediatric

Administer as in adults (consult patient's pediatrician before prescribing medication)

Increased levels occur with ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, estrogens, and birth control pills; decreased levels occur with aminoglutethimide, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, cholestyramine, and ephedrine; levels of potassium-depleting diuretics (potentiates potassium loss and digitalis toxicity) and cyclosporine increase; levels of isoniazid, insulin (resistance is induced), and salicylates decrease; monitor anticoagulant therapy and theophylline levels

Absolute: Systemic fungal infection, herpes simplex keratitis, hypersensitivity (usually with corticotropin, occasionally with IV forms)
Relative: Hypertension, active TB, CHF, prior psychosis, positive purified protein derivative test result, glaucoma, severe depression, diabetes mellitus, active peptic ulcer disease, cataracts, osteoporosis, recent bowel anastomosis, pregnancy

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Use lower dose in hypothyroidism, liver disease, and obesity (decreased cortisol-binding globulin [CBG] and increased free fraction of steroid); pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, and concurrent estrogen therapy may increase CBG levels; abrupt discontinuation of glucocorticoids may cause adrenal crisis; hyperglycemia, edema, osteonecrosis, myopathy, peptic ulcer disease, hypokalemia, osteoporosis, euphoria, psychosis, myasthenia gravis, growth suppression, and infections may occur with glucocorticoid use; alternate-day therapy does not prevent bone loss (appropriate monitoring and prophylaxis for osteoporosis continues to evolve)


Tetracycline (Sumycin)

Although an antibiotic, tetracycline has proven effective in some cases of BP either alone or in conjunction with niacinamide (2 g/d). Efficacy may be due to anti-inflammatory properties.

Adult

500 mg qid

Pediatric

<8 years: Not recommended
>8 years: 25-50 mg/kg/d (10-20 mg/lb)

Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy; can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants

Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider drug serum level determinations in prolonged therapy; use during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines


Clobetasol (Temovate)

Class I superpotent topical steroid; suppresses mitosis and increases synthesis of proteins that decrease inflammation and cause vasoconstriction. Useful in treating localized BP or in conjunction with low-dose systemic corticosteroids to treat the generalized disease.

Adult

Apply bid for up to 2 wk; not to exceed 50 g/wk

Pediatric

<12 years: Not established
>12 years: Apply as in adults

Documented hypersensitivity; viral or fungal skin infections

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Do not apply to face or intertriginous areas; systemic absorption and adrenal suppression may occur with prolonged therapy or application to large surface areas; may cause skin to atrophy; may increase risk of infections

Immunosuppressive agents

For patients in whom steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents have not caused a response or for those unable to tolerate prednisone, immunosuppressants are useful adjuvants.


Azathioprine (Imuran)

Antagonizes purine metabolism and inhibits synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. May decrease proliferation of lymphocytes. For use alone or in conjunction with prednisone.

Adult

1 mg/kg qd/bid (empiric) or by TPMT level; increase by 0.5 mg/kg q4wk until response, not to exceed 2.5 mg/kg/d
TPMT testing not entirely reliable; involves testing activity of TPMT activity in RBCs, which correlates with systemic TPMT activity; functional enzyme test has been shown to have variability between test sites, and kits may contain varying amounts of enzyme inhibitor; starting at low doses, monitoring for pancytopenia, then increasing the dose is an alternative; if clinical response is not good, patient may be a homozygote for high activity and may need increased dose; some references recommend checking before treatment in all patients
TPMT <5 U: No treatment with azathioprine
TPMT 5-13.7 U: Not to exceed 0.5 mg/kg
TPMT 13.7-19 U: Not to exceed 1.5 mg/kg
TPMT >19 U: Not to exceed 2.5 mg/kg

Pediatric

Safety and efficacy not established

Allopurinol increases risk of pancytopenia; captopril/ACE inhibitors may increase risk of anemia and leukopenia; warfarin dose may need to be increased; pancuronium dose may need to be increased for adequate paralysis; live virus vaccines and cotrimoxazole increase risk of hematologic toxicity; rifampicin may cause transplants to possibly be rejected; clozapine may increase risk of agranulocytosis

Absolute: Documented hypersensitivity, pregnancy or attempting pregnancy, clinically significant active infection
Relative: Concurrent use of allopurinol; prior treatment with alkylating agents (eg, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, others [high risk of neoplasia])

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Increased risk of neoplasia; caution in liver disease and renal impairment; hematologic toxicities may occur; rarely, patients may develop fever without associated infections; measure thiopurine methyltransferase level prior to treatment; periodically monitor CBC count and liver function

Biologicals


Rituximab (Rituxan)

Genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody against human CD20, a molecule present in normal and malignant B lymphocytes. Described in case reports as a promising biological treatment for B-lymphocyte–mediated diseases (eg, pemphigus vulgaris).

Adult

Not approved by FDA for use in BP; patients with other B-lymphocyte–mediated disease (eg, non-Hodgkin lymphoma) used initial dose of 375 mg/m2 IV qwk for 4-8 wk

Pediatric

Not established

Renal toxicity observed in combination with cisplatin

Documented hypersensitivity; documented anaphylaxis or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to murine proteins or their components

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Monitor CBC and platelet counts regularly during and few months posttreatment for occurrence of cytopenia; monitor human antichimeric antibody development (approximately 1% patients); monitor and treat associated infections (30% probability)
Severe infusion reactions have occurred, typically during the first infusion, with time to onset of 30-120 minutes; signs and symptoms may include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, or bronchospasm and may require interruption of infusion; the most severe manifestations and sequelae include pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, and anaphylactic and anaphylactoid events
Factors most commonly associated with fatal outcomes are female sex, pulmonary infiltrates, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia or mantle cell lymphoma; infusions should be interrupted for severe reactions and medication and supportive care measures provided; in most cases, the infusion can be resumed at a 50% reduction in rate when symptoms have completely resolved
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): Rapid reduction in tumor volume followed by acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, or hyperphosphatemia has been reported within 12-24 h after the first infusion; risk greater in patients with high numbers of circulating malignant cells (>25,000/μ L) or high tumor burden; following complete resolution of TLS complications, rituximab has been tolerated when re-administered in conjunction with prophylactic therapy for TLS
Hepatitis B virus (HBV): Reactivation with related fulminant hepatitis and other viral infections
HBV reactivation with related fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure and death have been reported in some patients with hematologic malignancies; most patients received rituximab in combination with chemotherapy; median time to diagnosis of hepatitis was approximately 4 mo after initiation of rituximab and approximately 1 mo after last dose; patients who develop viral hepatitis should have rituximab and any concomitant chemotherapy discontinued; appropriate treatment should be initiated; data regarding safety of resuming rituximab in patients who develop hepatitis subsequent to HBV reactivation is insufficient

More on Bullous Pemphigoid

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Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Bullous Pemphigoid
Treatment & Medication: Bullous Pemphigoid
Follow-up: Bullous Pemphigoid
Multimedia: Bullous Pemphigoid
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Lawrence Chan, MD, Department Head and Director of Skin Immunology Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Microbiology/Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Lawrence Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatological Society, Dermatology Foundation, Illinois State Medical Society, Microcirculatory Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Russell Hall, MD, Chief, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Duke University
Russell Hall, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society for Clinical Investigation, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Genetech Grant/research funds Principle Investigator; Centecor  Grant/research funds Principle Investigator

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Julia R Nunley, MD, Professor, Program Director, Dermatology Residency, Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Julia R Nunley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, Medical Dermatology Society, Medical Society of Virginia, National Kidney Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Johnson and Johnson stock holder dividends; Amgen stock holder dividends; Forest Lab, Inc stock holder dividends; Galaxo Smith Klein stock holder dividends; Covidien stock holder dividends; Novartis Grant/research funds Consulting; Biolex  sub-investigator

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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