Treatment

There's no cure for Churg-Strauss syndrome, also known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). But medications can help manage your symptoms.

Corticosteroids

Prednisone, which reduces inflammation, is the most commonly prescribed drug for Churg-Strauss syndrome. Your doctor might prescribe a high dose of corticosteroids or a boost in your current dose of corticosteroids to get your symptoms under control quickly.

High doses of corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, so your doctor will decrease the dose gradually until you're taking the smallest amount that will keep your disease under control. Even lower doses taken for extended periods can cause side effects.

Side effects of corticosteroids include bone loss, high blood sugar, weight gain, cataracts and hard-to-treat infections.

Other immunosuppressive drugs

For people with mild symptoms, a corticosteroid alone may be enough. Other people may need to add another drug to help suppress their immune systems.

Mepolizumab (Nucala) is currently the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome. However, depending on the severity of disease and the organs involved, other medications may be required. Examples include:

• Azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
• Benralizumab (Fasenra)
• Cyclophosphamide
• Methotrexate (Trexall)
• Rituximab (Rituxan)

Because these drugs impair your body's ability to fight infection and can cause other serious side effects, your condition will be closely monitored while you're taking them.