Pentoxifylline is a treatment that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to improve blood flow. It can also be used to treat sarcoidosis. How pentoxifylline works In addition to improving blood flow, pentoxifylline inhibits the synthesis of a pro-inflammatory, or immune-activating factor, called…

Sarcoidosis is characterized by clumps of immune cells called granulomas that build up in one or more parts of the body. These can cause chronic inflammation and prevent the normal function of organs. There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but there are various therapies that can help manage the symptoms of…

Humira (adalimumab), is a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor marketed by AbbVie. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and several other autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the…

Thalomid (thalidomide) is a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and usually used in combination with other medicines to treat multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells, and alone or in combination to treat a form of leprosy. Thalidomide may be used…

Acthar Gel is a repository corticotropin injection that is distributed by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of 19 conditions, including pulmonary sarcoidosis. Acthar Gel was first approved by…

Patients with sarcoidosis have a hyperactive immune system that leads to widespread inflammation. The hallmark of sarcoidosis is the appearance of clumps of white blood cells, called granulomas, that can interfere with the function of the organs and tissues in which they develop, particularly the lungs, but also…

Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of clumps of inflammatory immune cells called granulomas. These build up in different tissues and organs in the body affecting their ability to function properly. They can cause permanent damage if untreated. Although there is currently no cure…

Cyclosporine, also called cyclosporine A, is a medication that suppresses the immune system. It is commonly used to prevent rejection in patients who underwent liver, kidney, or heart transplants, and to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Cyclosporine is also used treat symptoms of psoriasis and inflammatory eye conditions,…

Hydroxychloroquine (brand name, Plaquenil) and chloroquine (brand name, Aralen) are medications that are typically used to treat malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease. They can also be used to manage certain symptoms of sarcoidosis. How anti-malarial treatments work Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition where the immune system remains…