Immunosuppressive and Cytotoxic Drugs in Dermatology

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Abstract
Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs are being used with increasing frequency in dermatology, and there have been numerous reports of their success in various diseases. Drugs that have been useful include cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, azathioprine, methotrexate, vinblastine, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, azaribine, dactinomycin (actinomycin D), bleomycin, hydroxyurea, and procarbazine. These medications may become useful therapeutic tools in dermatology, and the physician should become fully aware of their indications and potentials. However, therapy with these agents is often accompanied by complications, some of which may be severe and life-threatening, and it is therefore imperative that all physicians who use these drugs fully understand their pharmacology and be able to recognize and treat the adverse reactions.