Treatment Options

Carol L. Koski, M.D., Principal Author

Initial treatment for CIDP commonly commences when disease progression occurs rapidly or when patient mobility is compromised. However, it is important to provide treatment before axonal loss occurs because recovery is much more difficult once axons are damaged. In general, therapies are initiated to block the immune processes, thereby arresting inflammation and demyelination, and preventing secondary axonal degeneration. (Koller, 2005)

Although the pathophysiology underlying CIDP is not well understood, approximately 50% to 70% of patients with CIDP respond adequately to the initial therapy chosen. Those who do not respond to initial therapy may be helped by trying a different treatment. Eventually, up to 80% of patients with CIDP respond to one or more therapeutic regimens, either as monotherapy or in combination.

Three treatments are commonly used for initial therapy for CIDP and all of them appear to be equally effective in for short term (weeks). (Dyck, 1994; Hughes, 2001) They are:

• high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (referred to by the acronyms: IVIG, IgIV, or IGIV),
• plasma exchange (referred to by the acronym PE; also called plasmapheresis), and
• corticosteroids

More Information on Treatment Options

• Recommendations
• IVIG Therapy
• Plasma Exchange Therapy
• Corticosteroids
• Immunosupressants
• Initial and Long-Term Management

Related Treatment Issues

• See Treatment Issues.