[Cyclosporine and psoriasis]

Abstract

Cyclosporin has proved efficacious in severe and resistant psoriasis. When moderate doses are administered (below 5 mg/kg/day) satisfactory clinical results are obtained at the cost of side-effects that can be controlled, since they are dose-dependent and regress when dosage is reduced. The most important of these side-effects are arterial hypertension and nephrotoxicity due to vasoconstriction of glomerular arteries. It is therefore essential to use low doses (3 mg/kg/day initially) and to measure blood pressure and creatinine levels regularly. This being known, there is no doubt that cyclosporin constitutes a step forward in the treatment of severe psoriasis.