How is Behçet's disease treated?

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How is Behçet's disease treated?

While there is no known cure right now for this disease, there are some different drugs that can be used to help manage symptoms:

  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are the main treatment. These drugs suppress inflammation and immune function.
  • Colchicine (Colcrys®) can help with mouth sores, genital sores and possibly joint pain.
  • Other immunosuppressant drugs such as methotrexate (Trexall®, Rasuvo®), azathioprine (Imuran®, Azasan®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®) and cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®). Also, biologics such as anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), infliximab (Remicade®), etanercept (Enbrel®) and others, such as Tocilizumab (Actemra®) are used in more severe cases. Since these are immunosuppressant drugs, they can make you more susceptible to other infections.
  • Apremilast (Otezla®), an oral medication (taken by mouth), is approved for treating mouth ulcers in patients with Behçet’s disease.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may also suggest using certain eye drops, mouthwashes and skin ointments to control this disease and its symptoms, before deciding to use medication.

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