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    Corticosteroid Treatment for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

    Corticosteroid Treatment for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis



    Topic Overview

    Although corticosteroid treatment for Reference polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) Opens New Window and Reference giant cell arteritis (GCA) Opens New Window is similar, there are differences in how much medicine you take, how long you may have to take it, and how you track the condition.

    The following table shows general treatment guidelines for the two conditions.Reference 1

    Treatment choices for PMR and GCA
      Polymyalgia rheumatica Giant cell arteritis

    Amount of corticosteroid (usually prednisone) you take by mouth (oral) until you have no symptoms and have normal lab tests
    • 10–20 mg a day
    • 40–60 mg a day

    How long it takes before symptoms go away or greatly improve
    • 2–7 days
    • 2–7 days

    How long it takes for lab tests to become normal
    • Usually 2–3 weeks
    • 2–4 weeks or more

    How often your doctor may reduce your dose after symptoms go away and lab tests are normal
    • Every 2–4 weeks at first, then less often
    • Every 2–4 weeks at first, then less often

    How long you may take corticosteroids
    • Usually 1–2 years
    • About 1–2 years, but many people with the condition take them longer than 2 years

    Your doctor will want to keep track of your condition and how it is responding to treatment. Stay in touch with your doctor or nurse while you are taking corticosteroids for polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis. And keep in touch for 6 to 12 months after you stop taking this drug.

    In both polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis, your symptoms may return after a period of improvement (Reference relapse Opens New Window). If you have a relapse, your doctor may increase your corticosteroid dosage for a period of time and then gradually reduce it after your symptoms are gone.

    How long you need to take corticosteroids depends on how severe your condition is, whether it appears cured or not (Reference remission Opens New Window), and how often you have relapses.

    If you have polymyalgia rheumatica and do not have giant cell arteritis, your doctor may suggest using Reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Opens New Window when you are lowering the dose of your corticosteroid medicine. Always talk to your doctor or nurse before using these medicines.




    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference April 13, 2011
    Medical Review: Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
    Reference Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology


    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.


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