bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Microscopic Polyangiitis
Treatment of Microscopic Polyangiitis
For mild symptoms, corticosteroids andmethotrexate For severe symptoms,cyclophosphamideorrituximab Sometimes plasma exchange , which is another drug that suppresses the Overview of the Immune System (immunosuppressant), are given. If symptoms are severe and vital organs are affected,cyclophosphamide, a stronger immunosuppressant, orrituximaband high doses of a corticosteroid are given. To induce remission, which is a period where people have no symptoms, sometimes doctors do plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) or give the corticosteroidmethylprednisoloneby vein (intravenously). Plasmapheresis is a process in which blood is taken from the person and put through a machine that separates the blood cells from the liquid part of the blood (plasma). The plasma, which contains the disease-causing proteins, is discarded and the blood cells are returned to the person. 