Polyarteritis Nodosa (cont.)
How is polyarteritis treated?
Polyarteritis is a serious illness that can be fatal.
Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of the arteries by
suppressing the immune system. Medications used to treat polyarteritis
nodosa include high-dose intravenous and oral cortisone medications such as
prednisone, as well as immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) or azathioprine (Imuran).
When hepatitis B is present in patients with polyarteritis, antiviral medications (such as vidarabine and interferon-alpha) are used as primary treatments. Some studies have used various combinations of antiviral medications, plasma exchange, and immunosuppressive drugs.
- Polyarteritis nodosa is an autoimmune disease that affects
arteries.
- Common areas affected include the muscles, joints,
intestines (bowels), nerves, kidneys, and skin.
- Diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa is confirmed by a biopsy
of involved tissue or angiography.
- Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of
the arteries.
References:
Clinical Primer of Rheumatology, Lippincott Williams & Wilkens, edited by William Koopman, et al., 2003.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, W B Saunders Co, edited by Shaun Ruddy, et al., 2004.
Last Editorial Review: 9/11/2007
- prednisolone, Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol - Defines the medication prednisolone (Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol) a drug used used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Apheresis (Hemapheresis, Pheresis) - Learn about apheresis (hemapheresis, pheresis), a procedure where disease provoking elements in the blood are removed. Apheresis is used to treat conditions such as myasthenia gravis, lupus, severe rheumatoid arthritis, polymysositis, vasculitis, and more.
- Hepatitis B - Read about hepatitis B, a virus spread through infected blood or body secretions (blood, semen, vaginal discharge, breast milk, and saliva). Symptoms, diagnosis, and treamtent information is included in the article.
Latest Medical News
Arthritis RSS