Double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of levamisole in chronic rheumatoid arthritis

Scand J Rheumatol. 1979;8(1):43-8.

Abstract

Thirty-three out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed the study intended to compare under double-blind conditions, 50 mg levamisole tablets with placebo. Patients were given the double-blind medication at a dosage of one tablet t.i.d. for 3 months, and at a dosage of one tablet t.i.d., on 2 consecutive days every week for the next 3 months. Pain score, duration of morning stiffness, articular index and E. S. R. were recorded at the start of treatment, after 3 months of treatment and at the end of treatment. The levamisole patients made significantly better progress than did the placebo patients: for E.S.R. after 3 months of treatment, and for E.S.R., pain and morning stiffness by the end of treatment. Ten levamisole patients and 5 placebo patients reported adverse reactions. These were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms in the levamisole-treated patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levamisole / administration & dosage
  • Levamisole / adverse effects
  • Levamisole / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos
  • Tablets

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Tablets
  • Levamisole