How is pemphigus vulgaris treated?

Therapy is designed to decrease the production of the antidesmosomal antibodies or to reduce the inflammatory response. Because pemphigus can be deadly, corticosteroids in high doses are used initially, despite their serious side effects. Prednisone is given in daily oral doses of 120 mg as an initial dose, which is then adjusted lower or higher depending on the patient response. Other immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, have been used in conjunction with corticosteroids because of their steroid-sparing effect.