cytotoxic drugs
Last reviewed 01/2018
Two main cytotoxic agents are used, with steroids:
- cyclophosphamide
- azathioprine - less effective but used for it's steroid sparing effects in maintenance treatment. Dose 1.0-2.5 mg/kg/day; either started with steroids or added at a later date. Lymphoma is a feared side effect
Less commonly:
- cyclosporin - high renal toxicity. Reserved for patients unresponsive to conventional immunosuppression or in whom marrow toxicity is a major problem
- methrotrexate - long history of intermittent use