Pemphigus Vulgaris Medication

  • Author: Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 28, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The aim of treatment is to reduce the inflammatory response and autoantibody production. While target-specific therapy is not available, non–target-specific treatments currently are used. The most commonly used medications are corticosteroids.

The introduction of corticosteroids has reduced mortality greatly, but significant morbidity remains. Immunosuppressants should be considered early in the course of disease, as steroid-sparing agents. Mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine are the usual agents considered as initial choices.[47, 48] Only one placebo-controlled blinded study of mycophenolate has demonstrated more rapid improvement in the short run but no significant steroid-sparing effects in the long term.[49] A retrospective chart review has suggested a therapeutic ladder for patients with pemphigus vulgaris, but these authors' approach has not been validated.[50] Rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin have also proven useful alone or in combination, and some authorities are now using rituximab as first-line therapy for severe disease.[51]

A small case control trial showed improved laboratory and clinical outcomes in patients with pemphigus vulgaris treated with a combination of cytotoxic agents plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)compared with those treated with just IVIG.[52]

Cyclophosphamide is used for refractory disease. The role of biologic agents is being investigated. Each of these agents should be prescribed and monitored by physicians familiar with them. Wound care for erosions includes daily gentle cleaning, application of topical agents to promote wound healing, and use of nonadhesive dressings. The goal of wound care is to promote healing, minimize trauma to the surrounding skin, and diminish scarring.

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Anti-inflammatory agents

Class Summary

Inhibit the inflammatory process by inhibiting specific cytokine production.

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Prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Orasone, Sterapred)

 

May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity. Stabilizes lysosomal membranes and suppresses lymphocytes and antibody production. For treating pemphigus vulgaris, administered PO and used alone or in combination with topical or intralesional steroids or in conjunction with other immunosuppressives.

In pediatric patients, disease management with this medication in consultation with the patient's pediatrician is advised.

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Immunosuppressive agents

Class Summary

Useful adjuvants in patients with pemphigus vulgaris with generalized disease unresponsive to steroids and/or other anti-inflammatory agents or in patients unable to tolerate prednisone. Some suggest measuring levels of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), a key enzyme in azathioprine metabolism, before starting patients on azathioprine.[53, 54, 55] Also see the clinical guideline summary from the British Association of Dermatologists, Guidelines for prescribing azathioprine in dermatology.[56]

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Azathioprine (Imuran)

 

Antagonizes purine metabolism and inhibits synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. May decrease proliferation of immune cells, which results in lower autoimmune activity. In conjunction with prednisone, more effective than prednisone alone. May be an effective monotherapy in mild cases, although therapeutic effect is delayed 3-5 wk.

Consider withdrawal if no improvement within 3 mo.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Milton Keynes Hospital, UK

Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists, British Medical Association, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Nicole Sakka, MBBS  Foundation Year 2, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sohail Mansoor, MBBS, MSc  Dermatologist and Lead Physician in Dermatologic Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Barnet Hospital, UK

Sohail Mansoor, MBBS, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Abby S Van Voorhees, MD  Assistant Professor, Director of Psoriasis Services and Phototherapy Units, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Abby S Van Voorhees, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Merck Salary Management position; Abbott Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Amgen Honoraria Review panel membership; Centocor Honoraria Consulting; Leo Consulting; Merck None Other

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster 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.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Electrical Optical Sciences Consulting fee Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee; GSK - Glaxo Smith Kline Consulting fee Consulting; TenXBioPharma Consulting fee Safety Monitoring Committee

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 Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Mohsin Ali, MBBS, FRCP, MRCP, to the development and writing of this article.

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Early, small blister filled with clear fluid arises on healthy skin.
Flaccid blister filled with clear fluid arises on healthy skin.
An erosion.
Erosions and healing areas on the back.
Healing areas on the chest and abdomen.
Direct immunofluorescence showing intercellular immunoglobulin G throughout the epidermis of a patient with pemphigus vulgaris.
 
 
 
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