Methotrexate treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: is a fortnightly maintenance schedule enough?
In 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were in clinical remission the weekly regimen of methotrexate treatment was changed to fortnightly without a change in dose. A total of 13 patients completed a 12 month trial. No change in clinical or laboratory parameters occurred. There was no change in the use of analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the patients remained in remission. Two patients had to be withdrawn after two and four months respectively because of a flare in disease activity. It is suggested that in most patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with methotrexate and whose disease activity is stable a fortnightly regimen can be permitted without affecting drug efficacy.
Tishler
M
M
Department of Rheumatology, Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
Caspi
D
D
Yaron
M
M
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods
D008727:Methotrexate