Definition
A dubious and confusing disease, scleroderma still captures the attention of many scholars: we are talking about a chronic course characterized by a gradual thickening of the skin. Scleroderma particularly affects the skin of the limbs and mouth, although it can also involve internal organs and tissues, and capillaries.
Causes
Scleroderma is one of the diseases of unknown etiology. The clinical evidence shows that the disease is the result of the accumulation and overproduction of collagen fibers in some tissues of the body. From current scientific hypotheses, it seems that scleroderma is heavily influenced by the immune system: its alteration, in fact, would induce cells to synthesize an abnormal quantity of collagen, which accumulates in the different anatomical sites creating damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with scleroderma include: thickening of the skin of the fingers, hands, arms and face, swelling of the joints, muscle soreness, hair loss, heartburn with digestive difficulties (scleroderma in the stomach), shortness of breath (pulmonary scleroderma ), dry eyes, skin clearing / darkening, Raynaud's syndrome (the skin becomes hypersensitive to cold, modulates its natural color) and abnormal skin xerosis.
Information on Scleroderma Stroke - Drugs for Scleroderma Treatment is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Scleroderma Strike - Drugs for Scleroderma Treatment.
drugs
Unfortunately, no drug has yet been identified that can effectively and permanently cure scleroderma: however, numerous pharmacological preparations are available to lighten the symptoms that distinguish the disease, thereby improving the patient's quality of life.
The milder and asymptomatic scleroderma variants may also not be treated with any medication, although periodic specialist monitoring is required to monitor the possible progression - in a negative sense - of the disease.
In general, the treatment for scleroderma is always subject to the severity of the symptoms and to the general state of health of the patient; when the disease goes deep, so well beyond the superficial layer of the skin, affecting the tissues and internal organs, it must be constantly kept under control. Not to be forgotten, in fact, that scleroderma, expanding in cardiac and pulmonary tissues, could also kill the victim; clearly, we are talking about extreme cases, but no eventuality can be omitted.
It is however necessary not to alarm too much: most of the sclerodermal variants regress with the application of specific ointments or creams, formulated with derivatives of vitamin D, and possibly associated with steroid-based ointments that exert their therapeutic effect counteracting inflammation.
However, modern medicine has many drugs, which may be optimal for a form of scleroderma, but which may not be optimal for another variant of it. We therefore begin to report the most commonly used drugs in therapy, analyzing the individual options.
When the drugs do not report the desired results, the doctor can offer the patient alternative treatments, such as phototherapy or laser surgery to remove irreparably damaged tissue. In cases of extreme severity, lung amputation or transplantation is conceivable.
NSAIDs : oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated to reduce the pain associated with scleroderma, in addition to decreasing inflammation of the nerves and tendons.
- Naproxen (eg Aleve, Naprosyn, Prexan, Naprius): it is recommended to take the drug at an oral dose of 550 mg once a day, followed by 550 mg of active every 12 hours; alternatively, take 275 mg of naproxen every 6-8 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 1100 mg per day.
- Ibuprofen (eg. Brufen, Moment, Subitene): the drug reduces the painful sensation in the muscles and promotes the ability to move. To lighten the pain associated with scleroderma, it is recommended to take a dose of drug ranging from 200 to 400 mg, orally, every 4-6 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 400 mg per dose. In some cases, where scleroderma creates intense pain, it is possible to take the drug intravenously (eg Pedea), at an indicative dose of 400-800 mg in 30 minutes, every 6 hours, as needed.
Other NSAIDs used in therapy to mask pain include: Ketoprofen (eg Fastum, Ketoprofen ALM, Steofen), Diclofenac (eg Voltaren), Acetylsalicylic acid (eg Aspirin, Vivin, Ac Acet, Carin not to be administered) for children under 12), etc.
Corticosteroids : these drugs act with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect; when taken systemically, they are indicated to reduce inflammation of the cardiac membrane in the context of scleroderma of the heart. The administration of steroid drugs is also indicated for muscular scleroderma and limbs; these assets must be taken very carefully, given their noticeable side effects; for example, scleroderma sufferers who take such drugs for long periods can observe an increase in blood pressure and a worsening of kidney function.
- Prednisone (eg. Deltacortene, Lodotra): take 5 to 60 mg of active in 1-4 divided doses during 24 hours. Consult your doctor. Do not prolong the therapy beyond what is due.
- Methylprednisolone (eg Advantan, Solu-medrol, Depo-medrol, Medrol, Urbason): to ensure a good anti-inflammatory effect, take 4-48 mg per day of medication.
Cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter, bottle or tablets): is an alkylating agent used in therapy in the context of pulmonary scleroderma, in association with corticosteroid drugs: its therapeutic action consists in weakening the activity of the immune system. The drug is very powerful, therefore it is recommended to use it under close medical observation. For the dosage: consult a doctor.
Potassium aminobenzoate : it seems that the administration of this drug is useful for reducing the symptoms that accompany scleroderma in the context of cystic fibrosis; however, the therapeutic efficacy of this drug is not yet fully demonstrated. The dosage must be carefully determined by the doctor. DO NOT take the drug in combination with potassium-sparing diuretics (eg Amiloride, Furosemide, Spironolactone).
Drugs for hypertension : in this category, ACE inhibitors play a prestigious role in the treatment of scleroderma in patients where possible or ascertained liver damage is important.
Diuretic drugs are used in therapy in the context of scleroderma in order to relieve swelling in the hands and feet. The choice of a drug rather than another depends on the patient's general condition and his response to treatment. Below, the most used in therapy: the dosage will not be described, given the peculiarity of the disease. The dosage prescription is exclusively medical.
- Enalapril maleate (Ex. Converten)
- Lisinopril (eg. Zestril, Ensor, Nosilix)
- Captopril (eg. Capoten)
Immunosuppressive therapy : this is a still experimental therapy, in which scientists place their hopes in the treatment of severe scleroderma with high doses of stem cells. The immunosuppressive therapy aimed at reducing the symptoms of scleroderma uses the same drugs used in cancer treatment therapy. For example: INTERFERONE BETA-1B (eg Betaferon, Rebif, Avonex), interleukin-2 (eg Proleukin). The dosage, method of administration and duration of treatment are medical parameters of medical competence.
Bosentan (eg.Tracleer): this drug is used in therapy for the treatment of symptoms related to scleroderma associated with pulmonary hypertension. It appears that the administration of this active substance can also lighten the symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome. As an indication, for the treatment of scleroderma associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is recommended to take 62.5 mg of drug, twice a day (preferably in the morning and in the evening, on a full stomach or on an empty stomach), for 4 weeks; the maintenance dose suggests taking the product at a dose of 125 mg, twice a day. Consult your doctor before undertaking a similar therapy.
One of the most recurrent symptoms associated with scleroderma is Raynaud's syndrome: to lighten the symptoms - intense cold at the extremities, chromatic alteration of the skin of the hands and feet, tingling, inability to move the fingers due to cold - yes they can put into practice some simple tips: wear gloves and thick woolen socks, wear comfortable shoes, practice constant exercise, and perform massages on the hands and feet.
Penicillin D: the administration of this drug is planned in therapy to reduce the activity of the immune system, interfering, precisely, with the synthesis of collagen. In light of recent studies, it seems that this antibiotic drug can, in some way, minimize skin thickening, thus preventing damage from spreading to the deeper organs. In practice, however, it seems that the desired and long-awaited results are not so immediate; to remember, moreover, that an immoderate use of this drug can favor serious renal disorders and also damage blood cells. Penicillin D is, to date, a drug used as a second choice for the treatment of scleroderma.
High possible drugs used in therapy to minimize scleroderma symptoms:
- calcitriol (derivative of vitamin D), ex. Rocaltrol
- prostaglandin agonists
- thalidomide
It is therefore not possible to speak of a real cure for scleroderma: numerous drugs available, all aimed at minimizing the damage created by the disease, but no one able to cure it completely. Modern Research is encouraging fundraising aimed at identifying which drug is the most suitable for the treatment of scleroderma.
