Combination treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with cyclosporine and methotrexate

C.M. Stein, T. Pincus

ABSTRACT
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not controlled on methotrexate (MTX) alone, clinical trials have shown that combination therapy with cyclosporine (CSA) and MTX is effective and relatively well tolerated over 12 months. Information regarding the long-term benefits, toxicities and tolerability of this combination therapy in clinical practice, and comparisons with alternative strategies, will determine the utility of the MTX plus CSA combination regimen in patients with RA not controlled with a single drug.

Key words
Cyclosporine, methotrexate, combination therapy, rheumatoid arthritis.

Supported by USPHS Grant HL04012.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr. C. Michael Stein, Divisions of Clinical Pharmacology and Rheumatology, 560 Medical Research Building I, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-6602, USA.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 1999; 17 (Suppl. 18): S47 - S52.