PENTOXIFILLIN INTHETREATMENTOF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective. Assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of Pentoxifilline (PF) as compared with Methotrexate [ MT> and combination of MT+PF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. Controlled study of the efficacy and tolerability of MT, PF and their combination was done in 30 patients with active RA. 12 patients had PF in dose of 800-1200 mg/day, 11 - MT by 7.5-10 mg/week, 7 - MT 7.5 mg/week + PF 800-1200 mg/day. Assessment of the results was done in I, 3 and 6 months. Results. Patients taking MT demonstrated reliable improvement of the studied indices (10 out of 14). In the groups having PF and PF+MT there were no reliable improvement in any of the parameters under study. Conclusion. The obtained results testify to inefficacy of PF during the treatment of RA patients. Combined indication of MT and PF has no advantages as compared with monotherapy by MT