sarcoidosis treatment
- related: pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis
- tags: #permanent #pulmonology
Asymptomatic
- do not need treatment if asymptomatic, non-progressive1
- usually will have spontaneous remission
- treat if active bothersome symptoms, active inflammation, impaired organ function
- treat to avoid organ dysfunction and to improve quality of life
Symptomatic
- start with prednisone at 20-40 mg daily
- taper over several months 1
- then can move to prednisone sparing agents
- Methotrexate (Trexall)
- Infliximab (Remicade)
- Lung transplantation2
Most patients with sarcoidosis improve over time, but a minority have progressive lung disease (25%) or organ dysfunction (10%). These patients often require treatment with methotrexate, azathioprine, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists.
Treatment Overview
