Indications: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, hormone-sensitive breast cancer, palliation of symptomatic end stage malignant disease when it may produce a sense of well- being, prevention of organ transplant rejection; in high doses it is used to treat rejection episodes, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic active hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute immune hemolytic anemia.

Dose: the dose used depends on the disease, its severity and the clinical response expected. Divided dosage is usually employed. Short term treatment, 20-30mg daily for few days then reduced by 2.5-5mg every 2-5 days depending on response. Rheumatoid arthritis, 20-30mg daily.

Maintenance, lowest effective dose. Most other conditions, 10-100mg daily for 1-3 weeks then reduced to most effective dose.