Comparison of Combination Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs With Methotrexate Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methotrexate, a structural analogue of folic acid, can be administered orally or parenterally to treat a variety of rheumatic dise

Leflunomide inhibits pyrimidine synthesis, resulting in blockade of T-cell proliferation. Leflunomide is used in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis with early or late disease

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a well-tolerated DMARD that is commonly used in combination therapy regimens for RA. HCQ is more commonly used than chloroquine.

Low dose prednisolone (weeks 1-2: 15 mg/day, weeks 2-4: 10 mg/day, weeks 4-6: 5 mg/day and weeks 6-8: 2.5 mg/day then stop)

Folic acid is to be given to all patients receiving methotrexate at a dose of 5 mg twice a week.