PURPOSE OF REVIEW: None of the medications used in clinical practice to treat 
sarcoidosis have been approved by the regulatory authorities. Understanding how 
to use disease-modifying antisarcoid drugs, however, is essential for physicians 
treating patients with sarcoidosis. This review summarizes the recent studies of 
medications used for sarcoidosis with a focus on nonsteroidal therapies. Studies 
from 2006 to 2013 were considered for review to update clinicians on the most 
relevant literature published over the last few years.
RECENT FINDINGS: Several recently published pieces of evidence have helped 
expand our ability to more appropriately sequence second-line and third-line 
therapies for sarcoidosis. For instance, methotrexate and azathioprine may be 
useful and well tolerated medications as second-line treatment. Mycophenolate 
mofetil might have a role in neurosarcoidosis. TNF-α blockers and other 
biologics seem to be well tolerated medications for the most severely affected 
patients.
SUMMARY: Corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy for sarcoidosis as many 
patients never require treatment or only necessitate a short treatment duration. 
Second-line and third-line therapies described in this article should be used in 
patients with progressive or refractory disease or when life-threatening 
complications are evident at the time of presentation.