Treatment of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris With Azathioprine

Abstract

Summary.— Treatment with azathioprine has been used successfully in 5 cases of widespread PRP. Four cases cleared completely and in the other, after good improvement, treatment was abandoned on account of abdominal pains. Complete clearing may be slow, and treatment needs to be long continued. Two cases remain clear without treatment after 3 years and 2 years respectively. No serious side‐effects have been seen with the doses used.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris: algorithms for diagnosis and treatment

“…Along with methotrexate, other immunosuppressive substances such as cyclosporine and azathioprine have been beneficial for PRP according to several case reports . Furthermore, single case reports exist on the beneficial effect of fumaric acid esters, penicillin, extracorporeal photochemotherapy and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy .…”

Azathioprine for Use in Dermatology

“…Hunter and Forbes reported five cases of erythrodermic pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), four of which cleared completely in several months. Two of the patients relapsed, but responded promptly to the reintroduction of azathioprine 11 …”

Off-label Use of Azathioprine in Dermatology

“…13,16,24,38,43 Therefore, the quality of evidence is considered low (level C) for each disease and the estimate of effect uncertain. Efficacy and safety details are given in Table 3.…”