Antimetabolites in Non-infectious Uveitis Treatment

Wydanie 2/2018
str. 99 – 102

Autorzy: Maja Waszczyk-Łączak ¹ , Jacek P. Szaflik ^1,2

¹ Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny w Warszawie
Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Jacek P. Szaflik
²Katedra i Klinika Okulistyki II Wydziału Lekarskiego Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego
Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Jacek P. Szaflik

Summary: Patient with non-infectious uveitis is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. Long-term immunosuppressive treatment is generally required to achieve durable control of inflammation in recurent uveitis. Systemic corticosteroids are still the gold standard of immunosuppressive treatment for uveitis, but its side effects of long-term use often warrant to reduce the dosage/duration of corticosteroids. Then additional drugs are needed to be add. Immunosuppressive drugs are classified in four groups: antimetabolites, T cell inhibitors, alkylating agent and biologic agents.

Antimetabolites include: mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and methotrexate. The following article discusses the mechanisms of action of individual antimetabolite drugs, as well as the results of studies that will facilitate the decision-making of patients with non-infectious uveitis. Particular attention has been paid to the efficacy of the drug in achieving anti-inflammatory effect and the possibility of reducing the dose of corticosteroids. In addition, side effects that occurred with antimetabolites were considered.