We have located links that may give you full text access.
Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Efficacy of higher-dose levamisole in maintaining remission in steroid-dependant nephrotic syndrome.
Pediatric Nephrology 2017 August
OBJECTIVE: Levamisole (LEV) has been used successfully on an alternate-day regime of 2.5 mg/kg in steroid-dependant nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) to maintain remission. This pilot study was carried out between 2010 and 2015 at a single center in Sri Lanka to evaluate the efficacy of LEV prescribed at 2.5 mg/kg daily, which is double the alternate-day dose.
METHODS: Sequential children with SDNS, relapsing more than twice in the preceding 12 months and previously treated with LEV and low-dose alternate-day prednisolone (0.1-0.6 mg/kg) were recruited to the study. This group received LEV (2.5 mg/kg) daily with the same dose of alternate-day prednisolone for 1 year. Urine protein excretion was recorded by parents on a daily basis, and the presence of 3+ proteinuria on 3 consecutive days was considered a relapse. Full blood counts and liver function tests were performed every 3 months to monitor for adverse effects.
RESULTS: Sixty-four children were enrolled into the study; six were excluded due to prescription of other immunosuppressive drugs. Median age was 7.9 years; 33 were boys. The number of relapse episodes was 163 [mean per patient 2.8 ± standard deviation (SD) 0.8] in patients on alternate-day LEV and 77 (mean 1.3 ± SD 0.9) for those on daily LEV during the 12-month period of observation. The P value 0.000 (according to the Wilcoxon signed-rank test) was <0.001. No major adverse events were noted.
CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of daily LEV is effective and safe for maintaining SDNS remission.
METHODS: Sequential children with SDNS, relapsing more than twice in the preceding 12 months and previously treated with LEV and low-dose alternate-day prednisolone (0.1-0.6 mg/kg) were recruited to the study. This group received LEV (2.5 mg/kg) daily with the same dose of alternate-day prednisolone for 1 year. Urine protein excretion was recorded by parents on a daily basis, and the presence of 3+ proteinuria on 3 consecutive days was considered a relapse. Full blood counts and liver function tests were performed every 3 months to monitor for adverse effects.
RESULTS: Sixty-four children were enrolled into the study; six were excluded due to prescription of other immunosuppressive drugs. Median age was 7.9 years; 33 were boys. The number of relapse episodes was 163 [mean per patient 2.8 ± standard deviation (SD) 0.8] in patients on alternate-day LEV and 77 (mean 1.3 ± SD 0.9) for those on daily LEV during the 12-month period of observation. The P value 0.000 (according to the Wilcoxon signed-rank test) was <0.001. No major adverse events were noted.
CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of daily LEV is effective and safe for maintaining SDNS remission.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app