Immunosuppressive therapy corticosteroids

Nonspecific immunosuppressive therapy in an adult patient is usually through cyclosporin (35), started intravenously at the time of transplantation, and given orally once feeding is tolerated. Typically, methylprednisone is started also at the time of transplantation, then reduced to a maintenance dose. A athioprine (31) may also be used in conjunction with the prednisone to achieve adequate immunosuppression. Whereas the objective of immunosuppression is to protect the transplant, general or excessive immunosuppression may lead to undesirable compHcations, eg, opportunistic infections and potential malignancies. These adverse effects could be avoided if selective immunosuppression could be achieved. Suspected rejection episodes are treated with intravenous corticosteroids. Steroid-resistant rejection may be treated with monoclonal antibodies (78,79) such as Muromonab-CD3, specific for the T3-receptor on human T-ceUs. Alternatively, antithymocyte globulin (ATG) may be used against both B- and T-ceUs. 

The aminosalicylates, azathioprine, 6-MP, and infliximab are all viable options for treatment and maintenance of IBD in pediatric patients. Use of immunosuppressive therapy or infliximab may help reduce overall corticosteroid exposure. 

Azathioprine was originally approved by the FDA in 1968 as an adjunct immunosuppressant for use in renal transplant recipients. It is available in oral and IV dosage forms.11 Prior to the advent of cyclosporine, the combination of azathioprine and corticosteroids was the mainstay of immunosuppressive therapy. Over the past 10 years, the use of azathioprine has declined markedly due in large part to the success of the MPA derivatives, which are more specific inhibitors of T cell proliferation. 

Infliximab is used for moderate to severe active Crohn s disease in patients failing immunosuppressive therapy, in those who are corticosteroid dependent, and for treatment of fistulizing disease. A single, 5 mg/kg infusion is effective when given every day for 8 weeks. Additional doses at 2 and 6 weeks following the initial dose results in higher response rates. Adalimumab is effective in 54% of patients with moderate to severe Crohn s disease who have lost response to infliximab. The typical dosage is 160 mg subcutaneously initially, followed by 80 mg subcutaneously at week 2, with subsequent doses of 40 mg subcutaneously every other week thereafter. 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) Uses immune system stimulant prevention/Rx of colds, flu as supportive th apy for colds chronic infxns of the resp tract lower urinary tract Action Stimulates phagocytosis cytokine production T resp cellular activity topically exerts anesthetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects Efficacy Not established may X severity duration of URI Available forms Caps w/ powdered herb equivalent to 300-500 mg, PO, tid pressed juice 6-9 mL, PO, once/d tine 2-4 mL, PO, tid (1 5 dilution) tea 2 tsp (4 g) of powdered herb in 1 cup of boiling water Noles/SE Fever, taste p -version, urticaria, angioedema Contra w/ autoimmune Dz, collagen Dz, progressive systemic Dz (TB, MS, collagen-vascular disorders), HIV, leukemia, may interfere w/ immunosuppressive therapy Interactions t Risk of disulfiram-like reaction W/ disulfiram, metronidazole T risk of exacerbation of HIV or AIDS W/ chinacea amprenavir, other protease inhibitors X effects OF azathioprine, basiliximab, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, daclizumab, econazole vag cream, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate, prednisone, tacrolimus EMS Possible immunosuppression... 

Darmawan J, Nasution AR, Rasker JJ, Zhao DB, Soorosh GS, Chen SL et al. Sustained clinical and radiological remission in DMARD refractory rheumatoid arthritis treated with step-down bridge combination therapy of five immunosuppressants without corticosteroids in a 6 years observation in Asia - WHO-ILAR COPCORD Stage II Treatment. APLAR J Rheumatol 2007 10 in press. 

Azathioprine, in combination with corticosteroids, has historically been used more widely than any other drug in immunosuppressive therapy. It is classified as a... 

The treatment of collagen disease is based on immunosuppressive therapies. Immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids, are widely used. In addition, cytotoxic agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate) have also been administered. 

Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polyvalent (Pneumovax-23) [Vaccine/ Inactive Bacteria] Uses immunization against pneumococcal Infxns in pts at high risk (eg, all = 65 y of age) Action Active immunization Dose 0.5 mL EM. Caution [C, ] Contra Do not vaccinate during immunosuppressive therapy Disp Inj SE Fever, inj site Rxn, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis Interactions X- Effects W/ corticosteroids, immunosuppressants EMS None OD Unlikely... 

Qll The number of normal acetylcholine receptors decreases as the disease progresses. This reduces the effectiveness of anticholinesterases. In such cases, immunosuppressant therapy, using a corticosteroid, can be used. This will help to reduce the formation of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors. In... 

Catabolic medications or therapies corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, radiation, or chemotherapy Other medications diuretics, laxatives, or anabolic steroids Genetic background body habitus of parents, siblings, and family Alcohol or drug abuse... 

Bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth and proliferation, while bactericidal antibiotics actually kill bacteria. Many antibiotics are bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bactericidal at higher concentrations. This distinction is often not important clinically. If bacteria are prevented from multiplying, they will eventually be destroyed by the normal immune reaction of the host. Infections in inmiunocompromized individuals (for example, those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and those on systemic corticosteroid, anticancer or immunosuppressant therapy) have to be treated with potent bactericidal drugs. 

Clinically, the most common symptoms include dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain (38). Chest radiography reveals elevated hemidiaphragms. Some improvement has been noted using inhaled p agonists and theophylUine. A more global evaluation of SLE disease activity usually leads to an increase in immunosuppressive therapy using corticosteroids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, mycophenalate, cyclophosphamide, or azathioprine, with subsequoit improvement in symptoms (38). 

Although corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy can limit the lymphocytic inflammation, it does little to help airway dryness or inspisated mucus in bronchiectatic airways that can be occasionally helped with nebulized saline or A-acetyl cysteine. 

The duration of immunosuppressant therapy has not been well studied. Corticosteroids are usually tapered over several months and cyclophosphamide... 

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