title: Methylsulphasalazine in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Methylsulphasalazine, which differs from sulphasalazine by the addition of one methyl group, may provide the benefits of the parent drug with fewer side-effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe the outcome of its use in RA. Of 21 patients entered into the study, 10 successfully completed 6 months of therapy; five developed adverse effects, four withdrew for reasons unrelated to drug treatment and two stopped because of inefficacy. No serious adverse effects were reported. A statistically significant improvement in most clinical assessments was observed from weeks 8-12 onwards. Significant improvement in plasma viscosity was observed and there was a trend towards improvement in serum CRP, histidine and IgM concentrations. There was a good correlation between mean serial changes in clinical and biochemical assessments indicating that the drug may exhibit the properties of a second-line agent. Median steady-state serum concentrations of methylsulphasalazine and methylsulphapyridine were 26.6 micrograms/ml and 2.85 micrograms/ml respectively.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit (Rheumatism Research), Royal Bath Hospital, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Astbury
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bird
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012460:Sulfasalazine; C024059:methylsulfasalazine