Pulse therapy and its modifications in pemphigus: a six year study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) therapy for the pemphigus group of disorders is being widely used in India after its introduction in 1986. However, there are certain limitations to its application due to the serious side effects of cyclophosphamide. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2001, we treated 41 patients of pemphigus with modified pulse therapy. These modifications included certain changes in the DCP therapy protocol and substitution of cyclophosphamide with either azathioprine or methotrexate in a few patients. RESULTS: We observed a good response to pulse therapy in all 34 patients who took treatment regularly. CONCLUSIONS: We found the modifications to the original DCP therapy protocol to be very effective and useful.