Cyclosporin A in rheumatoid arthritis: preliminary clinical results of an open trial.
Twelve patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were included in a 1-year open trial of cyclosporin A (CsA), 5 mg/kg/day. Clinical efficacy was observed 1 month after beginning treatment, was well established after 4 months of therapy, and remained stable for the remainder of the 1-year treatment period. Among the numerous side effects observed, renal toxicity and hypertension occurred suddenly during the trial and required constant monitoring, adequate therapy, and modulation of CsA dosage. Cyclosporin A seems to be an effective treatment for active rheumatoid arthritis, but it requires close monitoring for toxicity.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003524:Cyclosporins