Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
A confirming diagnosis for pemphigus vulgaris is accomplished through a biopsy of the skin or the inner lining of the mouth (oral mucosa). The tissue specimen is sent for a test called direct immunofluorescence. After a diagnosis is made, treatment begins with a period of intense therapy with corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) in an effort to gain control and suppress disease activity until no new lesions appear. The duration of this phase ranges from several weeks to months. Often, a second medication is added to allow lower doses of the corticosteroid and reduce associated side effects.
After all lesions heal, medications can gradually be tapered, aiming for the lowest dose that prevents new "flares" of lesions from appearing.
If pemphigus vulgaris fails to respond to corticosteroids, result in unacceptable side effects, or is extensive or progressing rapidly, your doctor may add an immunosuppressant, IVIg treatment, plasmapheresis, or biologic agents.
Self-Care Guidelines
