Solar keratosis - Immunosuppressive drugs Factor
Immunosuppressive drugs are defined by the RMA as meaning "drugs or agents administered for the purpose of suppressing immune responses, but does not include inhaled or topical steroids". In the SOPs for cardiomyopathy and solar keratosis, the method of administration is specified as "orally, intravenously or intramuscularly" whereas the SOP for soft tissue sarcoma also includes administration rectally or subcutaneously.
Immunosuppressive drugs can be given as treatment for organ transplant, autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, some kidney diseases (such as nephrotic syndrome), vasculitis and some cancers.
Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs. Other drugs include Cyclophosphamide, Azathioprine, Methotrexate and Cyclosporin. Seek medical or pharmaceutical advice for details as to whether a particular drug is immunosuppressive.
Last reviewed for CCPS 20 April 2005.
Preliminary questions [12811]
12967 there is some evidence that treatment with immunosuppressive drugs may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.
34536 the veteran has been treated with immunosuppressive drugs at some time.
13976 the veteran has been treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twelve weeks at some time.
13977 the treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twelve weeks was materially contributed to by treatment of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
12824 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury for which treatment with immunosuppressive drugs was given and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
12825 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury for which treatment with immunosuppressive drugs was given and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
12826 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury for which treatment with immunosuppressive drugs was given and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
Clinical onset and operational service [12825]
34503 the identified illness or injury made a material contribution to the veteran being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twelve weeks before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
34505 the identified illness or injury which made a material contribution to the veteran being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twelve weeks is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [12826]
34500 the veteran has been treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twenty-four weeks at some time.
34501 the identified illness or injury made a material contribution to the veteran being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twenty-four weeks.
34502 the identified illness or injury made a material contribution to the veteran being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twenty-four weeks before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
34504 the identified illness or injury which made a material contribution to the veteran being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for a continuous period of twenty-four weeks is causally related to eligible service.