CYCLOSPORINE A IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CURRENT DATA

Abstract

Despite the advent of the new class of medications, such as gene engineering biologicals, the use of traditional essential anti-inflammatory drugs (EAID) remains the most important method of pathogenetic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Apart from methotrexate (MT) that is the gold standard of treatment for RA, there are a number of other effective EAIDs, including cyclosporine A (CsA, Sandimmun). The review deals with the practical aspects of using CsA in RA. Particular emphasis is laid on the capacities of combined basic therapy with CsA and MT in early RA and on the use of CsA in patients with concomitant chronic viral diseases (including viral hepatitis C).