Weekly azathioprine pulse could be an effective treatment for psoriasis

[Fred]

This study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of weekly oral pulse doses of azathioprine for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, and to determine the side effects of this regimen both clinically and biochemically.

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Background:
Azathioprine is a potent immunosuppressive drug that has been used in many immune-mediated diseases. There are a few reports of its use in psoriasis; however, azathioprine weekly pulse doses have not been evaluated in this disease.

Aim:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of weekly oral pulse doses of azathioprine for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, and to determine the side effects of this regimen both clinically and biochemically.

Methods:
In this open-label clinical trial, a 300 mg bolus dose of azathioprine was given once every week orally for 24 weeks to patients with chronic plaque psoriasis having body surface area involvement of ≥ 10% and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of ≥ 10. Patients were evaluated every 4 weeks for 24 weeks to determine the response to treatment and any adverse effects (AEs), and then followed up for a further period of 12 weeks to determine any relapse of the disease.

Results:
There were 50 patients in the study, of whom 28 (56%) completed the 24 weeks of treatment and 27 (54%) completed the 12-week post-treatment follow-up. Azathioprine 300 mg weekly pulse was effective in achieving PASI 75 in 42% of patients, PASI 90 in 36% of patients and PASI 100 in 22% of patients. In five patients (10%), the therapy had to be withdrawn due to AEs.

Conclusion:
Weekly azathioprine pulse appears to be an effective treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis, and can be used as an alternative therapy to other available therapeutic agents.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Funding unknown

[AmandaL]

That's a very high dosage! I was on 125mg Azathioprine for my Crohns

[jiml]

It's interesting that it is used for crohns as well as other inflammatory diseases Amanda ..but were you on 125mg a day

The pulse seems to give a higher dose 300mg just once a week and appears successful, I see its for severe psoriasis and understand it also helps arthritis and several other diseases taken in the pulse form

It is another tool in the dermatologists arsenal

[AmandaL]

Ahh I missed that bit. I think it was per day. Never noticed it making a difference to my Psoriasis though

[jiml]

Ahh I missed that bit.  I think it was per day.  Never noticed it making a difference to my Psoriasis though

I'm guessing here but I wonder if it's the high dose hitting your immune system hard once a week
Rather than daily tickling the immune system with low doses
Shame it didn't do anything for your psoriasis