Efficacy and Toxicity Profile of Methotrexate Chloroquine Combination in Treatment of Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview

Journal Med J Armed Forces India

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2016 Jul 14

PMID 27407700

Citations 2

Authors

V K Singal

V P Chaturvedi

K S Brar

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted to study the efficacy and toxicity profile of methotrexate chloroquine combination in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: 24 patients of rheumatoid arthritis confirming to revised American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria were studied prospectively for twenty months. Clinical evaluation was made every 3 months. Clinical disease variables measured at each visit were number of joints with swelling, number of joints with tenderness and pain, duration of morning stiffness and physician and patient assessment of disease activity. Blood counts, liver function tests and other adverse effects due to drugs were monitored every 2 months.

Results: 10 patients demonstrated more than 50% improvement. 4 patients withdrew from study, 2 because of excessive nausea and vomiting and 2 because of noncompliance. Other side effects noted were hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity, skin rashes, raised transaminases and stomatitis.

Conclusion: Methotrexate chloroquine combination has good efficacy and toxicity profile. Gastrointestinal side effects are most common and usually responsible for the discontinuation of the drugs.

Citing Articles

Risk Factors Associated with Adverse Events Leading to Methotrexate Withdrawal in Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Avalos-Salgado F, Gonzalez-Lopez L, Gonzalez-Vazquez S, Ponce-Guarneros J, Santiago-Garcia A, Amaya-Cabrera E J Clin Med. 2024; 13(7).

PMID: 38610627 PMC: 11012848. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13071863.

Prevalence and predictors of adverse events with methotrexate mono- and combination-therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Sherbini A, Sharma S, Gwinnutt J, Hyrich K, Verstappen S Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021; 60(9):4001-4017.

PMID: 33909898 PMC: 8410011. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab304.

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