Pemphigus vulgaris. A study of six cases treated with levamisole and prednisone.

Six patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) who had been treated unsuccessfully with other modalities and who were maintained on prednisone for disease control were started on levamisole in addition to their minimum effective dose of prednisone (40 to 80 mg. daily). All patients responded within 2 to 8 weeks. The minimum effective dose range of prednisone when used with levamisole was reduced to 5 to 35 mg. daily. A temporary minor side effect occurred in only one patient. This corticosteroid-sparing, combination-drug approach for patients with PV has resulted in acceptable clinical control and diminution of the side effects that often interfere with high-dosage, long-term treatment.