|
SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
11/7/06
Mycophenolate mofetil treatment of urticaria
Summary
Background – Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not controlled in treated with any antihistamine (AH) agent in some patients (up to 50% in some series). Such individuals are frequently treated chronically with corticosteroids and considered for immunosuppressive therapy/
Findings – Shahan et al of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel carried out an uncontrolled, open trial of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressive agent, in 9 patients with documented CIU not controlled sufficiently by AH therapy. Most of these patients were also taking prednisone treatment. After a 2 week baseline evaluation to document the CIU status, each patient received MMF 1000 mg twice daily for 12 weeks.
Following the 12 week MMF treatment, there was a significant decrease in the extent/severity of the CIU (p,0.001). Those patients taking prednisone at baseline could discontinue it completely. No adverse effects of the MMF treatment were seen.
Reference
Int J Dermatol 2006;45:1224-7
Editor's Comments
MMF has been used fairly extensively in the control of transplant rejection and in some patients with connective tissue/autoimmune diseases. Side effects have generally not interfered with treatment although any long-term potential adverse consequences were not yet defined. Cyclosporine has been used in severe CIU but the dosage must be limited to avoid serious adverse effects. A controlled, blinded trial of MMF, including a trial of withdrawing MMF after 12 weeks appears indicated.
|