Combination of ascorbic acid and methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Ascorbic acid, reported in 1988 to be effective for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), is an attractive drug because of its lack of toxicity. Further studies are necessary in order to improve its effectiveness without increasing secondary effects. We present a chronic ITP patient treated with a combination of ascorbic acid and methylprednisolone pulse (MP) therapy who was previously treated with MP therapy alone. The effect of this combination therapy seems to be better than MP therapy alone. This therapy is worth further examination as another therapeutic choice due to its fewer secondary effects than the usual regimen of corticosteroids, splenectomy, and other immunosuppressive drugs.