title: Thalidomide. A promising new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In an open study, oral administration of thalidomide to 7 female patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis, in doses ranging from 6.9 to 15 mg/kg/day, led to clinical improvement within several weeks. In 4 women, remission lasted long after discontinuation of the drug. All patients showed normalization or marked reduction of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and several showed a significant decrease in rheumatoid factor titer. Adverse side effects included drowsiness, constipation, and edema of the lower limbs, which disappeared after discontinuation of the drug.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012894:Sleep Stages; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor