Re: RESEARCH - Long-term MTX monotherapy for RA appears safe

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for article on methotrexate. I am long term user of it. I had been

concerned that it may have caused or contributed to the pleural effusion I had

last year even tho Rheumy didn't think so. Reading this article makes me feel

better about taking it. I am going to do more research on site later, there

seemed to be a problem with the search feature tonight.

Thanks for all your efforts in keeping us informed.

>

> Long-Term Methotrexate Monotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Appears Safe

>

>

> NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 03 - In adults with rheumatoid arthritis

> (RA), long term methotrexate (MTX) therapy is associated with

> " favorable " safety, according to a meta-analysis in the July issue of

> the ls of Rheumatic Diseases.

>

> Dr. C. Salliot of Hopital Cochin in Paris, France and Dr. D. van der

> Heijde of Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands reviewed

> 88 studies of patients with RA treated with MTX monotherapy for at

> least two years. The researchers note that no randomized controlled

> trials met the duration criterion.

>

> " Over 12 years of treatment, the termination rate of MTX due to

> toxicity was less than for sulfasalazine, gold, and D-penicillamine

> but higher than for hydrochloroquine, " the researchers report.

> Thirteen percent of patients had significant liver enzyme elevations,

> and 3.7% discontinued MTX for hepatotoxicity.

>

>

> ***********************************

> Read the full article here:

>

> http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/705337

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>