Cut number of rheumatoid arthritis drugs and reduce side effects, says Belgian research
A two-year study into rheumatoid arthritis conducted at university hospitals in Belgium has shown that reducing the amount of medication can achieve the same results but with fewer side effects.
The study, called CareRA, involved researchers and clinicians at University Hospitals Leuven examining various therapies for early rheumatoid arthritis, seeking the optimal combination and dosage of three commonly-prescribed anti rheumatic drugs. Methotrexate, sulfasalazine and leflunomide were considered in combination with glucocorticoids.
Some 290 patients were divided into three treatment groups, with each group receiving a different combination therapy: ‘COBRA Classic’ (methotrexate, sulfasalazine and a high first dose of glucocorticoids), ‘COBRA Slim’ (methotrexate and a moderate dose of glucocorticoids) or ‘COBRA Avant-Garde’ (methotrexate, leflunomide and a moderate dose of glucocorticoids).
This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.
Login to your accountTry before you buy
Free
7 day trial access
- All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
- Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
- Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.
Become a subscriber
£820
Or £77 per month
- Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
- Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
- Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
- Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
- Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription
The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed
Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK
Today's issue
Company Spotlight
More Features in Pharmaceutical
Copyright © The Pharma Letter 2025 | Headless Content Management with Blaze