Long term treatment of myasthenia gravis with azathioprine

• Published in: Postgraduate medical journal Vol. 66; no. 772; pp. 102 - 105
• Main Authors: Fonseca, V., Havard, C. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine 01.02.1990; Oxford University Press; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adult; Azathioprine - adverse effects; Azathioprine - therapeutic use; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Portal - chemically induced; Jaundice - chemically induced; Long-Term Care; Male; Middle Aged; Myasthenia Gravis - drug therapy; Prednisolone - therapeutic use; Pyridostigmine Bromide - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0032-5473; 1469-0756
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.66.772.102

Twenty-seven patients with myasthenia gravis have been treated with azathioprine in conjunction with pyridostigmine and prednisolone for a total of 138 patient years. Side effects necessitated discontinuation of treatment in only four patients. Treatment with azathioprine was associated with marked clinical improvement in all the remaining 23 patients, resulting in reduction in the dose of pyridostigmine and prednisolone. The number of hospital admissions as well as the number of episodes of respiratory failure were markedly reduced.