Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Medication

Updated: Sep 18, 2020
  • Author: Shawn Cowper, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

Some medications have shown a benefit in small numbers of patients. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis lesions may be treatable earlier in the disease course, becoming recalcitrant after significant fibrosis has occurred. Prednisone and calcipotriene have been used with marginal success (see Medical Care). Alfa interferon has been used, but its effects on the disease are unclear. Methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and psoralen plus UV-A light have been used without effect.

In 2008, Marckmann et al found possibly enhanced gadolinium excretion in dialysate, but they did not observe major clinical benefits with 3-5 months of treatment with sodium thiosulfate in patients in the late stages of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. [77]