Treatments

The long-term side effects of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) are damage to the bladder and the bone marrow. Bladder cancer is a well-known risk and continues to arise at least 10-15 years after the drug was given. Periodic urinalysis is considered a good screen, such that a normal urinalysis is very reassuring;…...

Patients immunosuppressed due to treatment for vasculitis do not need to take extraordinary precautions to avoid infection, the way patients with severe AIDS or recent bone-marrow transplants do. Participation in employment and recreational activities are strongly encouraged. It is probably wise to avoid undercooked meat and a few very specific…...

The drug is “out of your system” within a day, but the side effects that have accumulated over time (weight gain, diabetes, round face, easy bruising, muscle weakness, osteoporosis) can take a long time to reverse, and some may not revere (stretch marks, cataracts).  Risk of infection probably goes down…...

Long-term treatment with prednisone, even at relatively low doses, is associated with bone loss and is considered a risk factor for bone fractures even with a normal bone density test.  All patients treated with prednisone should be on supplemental calcium (1000-1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (800 IU daily) therapy…...

This is not thought to occur as a general rule. Need for an increased dose of prednisone is thought to indicate that the level of inflammation is higher....