Drugs

Parenteral anticoagulants for the treatment of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome What parenteral anticoagulants are available for the treatment of patients with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome? • Unfractionated heparin. – Prophylactic dose: 5000 units SC twice a day. – Treatment of clot dose: 80 units/kg bolus followed by 18 units/kg/h IV maintenance. – Monitor PTT, antifactor Xa level (6 hours after dose …

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How are Polymyositis and dermatomyositis treated What is the approach to treatment of Polymyositis and dermatomyositis ? Poor prognostic features in PM/DM patients include severe weakness, dysphagia, respiratory muscle weakness, ILD, myocardial involvement, anti-SRP/anti-MDA-5/anti-155/140 antibodies, necrotizing myopathy on pathology, and malignancy. All patients need corticosteroids (CS) and immunosuppressive agents early. CS are the mainstay of therapy …

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How is Eosinophilic Fasciitis treated Are any therapies effective in patients with Eosinophilic Fasciitis? High-dose prednisone (40–60 mg/day) often results in marked and rapid improvement in the eosinophilia and gradual improvement in the fasciitis and contractures in more than 70% of treated patients. Given the potential morbidity associated with treatment delay and the improved clinical …

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How is scleromyxedema treated What therapy options exist for scleromyxedema? Historically, therapies used in multiple myeloma (melphalan, cyclophosphamide) have been described with variable success in scleromyxedema, but also come with the risk of significant side effects. Additionally, the cutaneous disease can progress even with eradication of the monoclonal paraprotein, as the skin course does not …

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Which treatment options can be considered in patients with morphea? Not all patients with morphea require pharmacologic intervention. It is important to first assess whether lesions are active (often present <3 months with signs of inflammation on exam), as these are most responsive to therapy. Chronic lesions may not require medications but may benefit from …

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Should ACE inhibitors be used prophylactically in patients with SSc to prevent SRC? There is no data to support prophylactic ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with Systemic Sclerosis. In addition, some data suggests that patients on an ACE inhibitor at the time of diagnosis of SRC may have a worse prognosis. Routine use of ACE …

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Which therapeutic intervention has helped avoid renal failure in patients with Systemic Sclerosis? The use of ACE inhibitors has dramatically changed the outcome of renal involvement in SSc. Captopril and enalapril are the most studied ACE inhibitors in scleroderma, but probably any of the ACE inhibitors are effective. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists have not been proven effective …

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