Sulphasalazine in rheumatoid arthritis: combination therapy with D-penicillamine or sodium aurothiomalate

This open study examined the safety of adding a second slow-acting anti-rheumatic drug (SARD) - D-penicillamine or sodium aurothiomalate - to the therapy of 38 rheumatoid patients already established on sulphasalazine. Combined anti-rheumatic therapy given in this way was generally well-tolerated and the incidence of adverse reactions was not increased. During the first year none of the reactions were serious although 9 of the 29 patients (31%) given D-penicillamine and 3 of the 9 patients receiving aurothiomalate developed side-effects requiring withdrawal of the second SARD. Reactions attributed to D-penicillamine were: gastro-intestinal - 6, rashes - 2, and blurring of vision - 1. All 3 reactions occurring with gold were rashes, 2 associated with proteinuria and one with increased liver enzymes. During the second year D-penicillamine was withdrawn in 4 patients due to thrombocytopenia - 2, and rashes - 2. In addition an overall favourable clinical response was achieved in 70% of patients. This approach for combination therapy whereby a second SARD is given to patients already established on a single SARD, appears to minimise the toxicity which is a problem when 2 SARDs are started simultaneously.