4
Key Points and Definitions
Table 3. Treatments and Interventions Used in the
Recommendations and Ungraded Position
Statements for GCA and TAK
Term Definition
Pulse intravenous glucocorticoids Methylprednisolone:
• Adults: 500–1000 mg/day given intravenously for
3–5 days, or equivalent
• Children: 30 mg/kg/day (maximum 1000
mg/day) given intravenously for 3–5 days, or
equivalent
High dose oral glucocorticoids Prednisone:
• 1 mg/kg up to 80 mg daily or equivalent
Moderate dose oral
glucocorticoids
Prednisone:
• Adults: 0.5 mg/kg/day (generally between 10–40
mg/day) or equivalent
• Children: 0.5 mg/kg/day or equivalent
Low dose oral glucocorticoids Prednisone:
≤10 mg daily or equivalent
Non-glucocorticoid non-biologic
immunosuppressive therapy
Azathioprine, leflunomide, methotrexate,
mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide
Biologics Abatacept, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors,
tocilizumab
Surgical intervention Angioplasty, stent placement, vascular bypass,
vascular gra
