Sulphasalazine: a safe, effective agent for prolonged control of rheumatoid arthritis. A comparison with sodium aurothiomalate

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 194 - 198
• Main Authors: Bax, D E, Amos, R S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01.03.1985; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Sedimentation; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Female; Gold - adverse effects; Gold - therapeutic use; Gold Sodium Thiosulfate - adverse effects; Gold Sodium Thiosulfate - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Sulfasalazine - adverse effects; Sulfasalazine - therapeutic use; Time Factors; Human; Chemotherapy; Rheumatoid arthritis
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.44.3.194

The place of sulphasalazine in the management of rheumatoid arthritis over prolonged periods of time has been compared and contrasted with that of sodium aurothiomalate. One hundred and forty-three patients (59 on sulphasalazine, 84 on sodium aurothiomalate) have been treated for periods of up to 42 months. Sulphasalazine is highly effective for some patients, though probably less frequently than sodium aurothiomalate. However, its safety profile is far superior, and very long-term treatment with sulphasalazine is a safe option for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.