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THE TREATMENT OF CUTANEOUS PORPHYRIA *
Author(s) -
Hunter G. A.,
Donald G. F.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1977.tb00724.x
Subject(s) - porphyria cutanea tarda , medicine , porphyria , chloroquine , penicillamine , chelation therapy , dermatology , surgery , pathology , malaria , thalassemia
S ummary Various treatments for porphyria cutanea tarda have been developed and a number of these appear to be effective. Methods of treatment advocated include alkalinization of the urine, venesection, chelation and chlorquine It is difficult to assess the relative merits of these treatments and, in spite of the various theories advanced, there appears to be no agreed exact biochemical explanation for the efficacy of any of these treatments. Since 1969 our routine management of porphyria cutanea tarda has been with low dosage chloroquine therapy, 7.5 mgm twice weekly, and this has proved safe, effective, and easy‘to manage. Remissions of several years’duration have been obtained. Where there has been no improvement after some Weeks on chloroquine., or sometimes initially in seven cases, we have used d‐penicillamine 250 mgm three times daily in short intermittent courses.