title: Double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of levamisole in chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Thirty-three out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed the study intended to compare under double-blind conditions, 50 mg levamisole tablets with placebo. Patients were given the double-blind medication at a dosage of one tablet t.i.d. for 3 months, and at a dosage of one tablet t.i.d., on 2 consecutive days every week for the next 3 months. Pain score, duration of morning stiffness, articular index and E. S. R. were recorded at the start of treatment, after 3 months of treatment and at the end of treatment. The levamisole patients made significantly better progress than did the placebo patients: for E.S.R. after 3 months of treatment, and for E.S.R., pain and morning stiffness by the end of treatment. Ten levamisole patients and 5 placebo patients reported adverse reactions. These were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms in the levamisole-treated patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D013607:Tablets; D007978:Levamisole