Systemic corticosteroids for intensive induction therapy for ANCA-associated vasculitides
The appropriate route of administration and dosage of systemic corticosteroids for inducing remission in ANCA-associated vasculitides depends on the disease severity. Patients with organ- or life-threatening features of ANCA-associated vasculitides require intensive induction therapy with pulse intravenous methylprednisolone; the usual dosage is:
methylprednisolone sodium succinate 0.5 to 1 g intravenously, over 1 hour, daily for 3 days, then switch to oral prednisolone (or prednisone) as below. methylprednisolone sodium succinate methylprednisolone methylprednisolone
For patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides without any organ- or life-threatening features, intensive induction therapy may be initiated with high-dose oral prednisolone or prednisone. The usual dosage is:
prednisolone (or prednisone) 1 mg/kg up to 80 mg orally, daily for a minimum of 4 weeks. Depending on tolerability, the dose may be given in 2 divided doses. prednis ol one prednis(ol)one prednis(ol)one