Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIGs), plasmapheresis, and other immunomodulatory therapies have been shown to hasten recovery in patients with GBS. IVIGs and plasmapheresis are about equally effective at shortening the average duration of disease. IVIG treatment is generally easier to implement and potentially safer than plasma exchange is, and the use of IVIGs vs plasma exchange may be a choice of availability and convenience. In addition, IVIG is the preferential treatment in hemodynamically unstable patients and in those unable to ambulate independently.
Antivirals are not among the recommended medications for patients with GBS. Substantial evidence shows that intravenous methylprednisolone alone does not produce significant benefit or harm patients with GBS. Corticosteroids are ineffective as monotherapy and do not affect the long-term outcome or significantly hasten recovery from GBS.
Learn more about GBS treatment.
This Fast Five Quiz was excerpted and adapted from the Medscape articles Guillain-Barré Syndrome, COVID-19 Vaccine, Viral Vector-Janssen, and Immune Globulin IV (IGIV).
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Cite this: Helmi L. Lutsep. Fast Five Quiz: Guillain-Barré Syndrome Practice Essentials - Medscape - Dec 06, 2022.
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