lung and airway disorders
Sarcoidosis
Treatment of Sarcoidosis
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Corticosteroids Drugs to suppress the immune system Most people with sarcoidosis do not need treatment. People may be given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve symptoms such as pain or fever. Corticosteroids are given to suppress sarcoidosis that causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, joint or chest pain, and fever. These drugs also are given if Tests show high levels of calcium in the blood, even if symptoms are mild. Function of the heart, liver, or nervous system is affected. Sarcoidosis causes disfiguring skin lesions or eye disease that corticosteroid eye drops do not cure. Lung disease worsens. Corticosteroids tend to temporarily slow tissue damage caused by sarcoidosis and control symptoms well, but they may not prevent lung scarring over the years. Corticosteroids also may help people with high levels of calcium in the blood or urine. Sometimes other drugs that suppress the immune system are given if corticosteroids are ineffective or cause troublesome side effects. These drugs may includemethotrexate,azathioprine,mycophenolate,cyclophosphamide,hydroxychloroquine, andleflunomide. Hydroxychloroquineis sometimes helpful in treating disfiguring skin lesions, high blood calcium levels, and some enlarged, uncomfortable or disfiguring lymph nodes. Some people, especially those in whom corticosteroids and another drug that suppresses the immune system have been ineffective, are treated withinfliximab. For people who were treated successfully withinfliximabbut can no longer takeinfliximabbecause of its side effects, doctors can giveadalimumab. If the heart is involved, people may need an implantable cardiac defibrillator and a pacemaker. Sometimes, transplantation of lungs, heart, or liver is done if sarcoidosis has severely affected these organs, but sarcoidosis can recur in the transplanted organ. The success of treatment can be monitored with chest x-rays, CT, pulmonary function tests, and measurements of calcium in the blood. These tests are repeated regularly to detect relapses after treatment stops. Moderate or severe lung damage increases the risk of death in people who have sarcoidosis and COVID-19. People with lung damage thus should be COVID-19 Vaccine . Doctors must sometimes withhold drugs that suppress the immune system in these people. 