Treatment
There is no cure for Behcet’s disease. Treatment is aimed at limiting and preventing complications from symptoms. With proper treatment, the disease can usually be managed fairly well. Treatment includes medications, rest, and exercise.
Medication
Both topical and oral medications are used.
Topical medications include creams, lotions, and mouth rinses that contain corticosteroids (to cut down on inflammation) and/or anesthetics (to decrease pain). These are applied to sores to reduce inflammation and pain.
Oral medications, include:
- Oral corticosteroids—to reduce inflammation and pain
-
Immunosuppressive drugs—to help control the overactive immune system. These may include:
- Interferon
- Azathioprine
- Chlorambucil
- Cyclosporine
- Colchicine
- Methotrexate
- Dapsone
- Infliximab
- Thalidomide
Many of the drugs used to treat Behcet’s disease can cause severe side effects. If you are taking these medications your doctor must closely monitor you.
Rest and Exercise
General guidelines include:
- Rest when symptoms flare to help speed healing.
- Engage in moderate exercise when symptoms recede to help keep joints flexible and strong.