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Common Immunosuppressive and Rheumatologic Medications: Uses

Key medications for autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and malignancies:

Allopurinol

Xanthine oxidase inhibitor — gout, tumor lysis syndrome, kidney stone prevention.

Azathioprine

Purine analog — autoimmune hepatitis, IBD, lupus, transplant rejection prophylaxis.

Cyclophosphamide

Alkylating agent — severe lupus, vasculitis, myositis, nephrotic syndrome; conditioning for transplant.

Biologic DMARDs

  • Etanercept, Infliximab, Golimumab, Adalimumab, Certolizumab: TNF inhibitors — RA, PsA, AS, Crohn's, UC, psoriasis.
  • Rituximab: Anti-CD20 — RA, ANCA vasculitis, NHL, CLL.
  • Tocilizumab, Sarilumab: IL-6 receptor blockers — RA, GCA, CRS.
  • Abatacept: CTLA-4 Ig — RA.
  • Secukinumab, Ixekizumab: IL-17 inhibitors — PsA, AS, psoriasis.
  • Ustekinumab: IL-12/23 — psoriasis, Crohn's, UC.

Targeted Synthetic DMARDs

  • Tofacitinib, Baricitinib, Upadacitinib: JAK inhibitors — RA, PsA, UC.

Other Agents

  • Methotrexate: Anchor DMARD — RA, psoriasis, JIA, ectopic pregnancy, chemotherapy.
  • Leflunomide: RA, PsA.
  • Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine, Sirolimus: Calcineurin/mTOR inhibitors — transplant, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis.

All require monitoring (CBC, LFTs, renal function, infection surveillance). Dosing individualized.

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