Study: Enbrel, Remicade Better Than Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Enbrel (etanercept) and Remicade (infliximab) both performed better than Arava (leflunomide) in a clinical trial that treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to Swedish researchers.

Enbrel and Remicade suppress inflammation by blocking an inflammatory cytokine (small protein) called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Arava is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that works by reducing inflammation.

A total of 404 patients were included in the two-year study. Each participant had undergone at least two failed antirheumatic drug treatments in the past, including treatment with methotrexate.

For this study, Enbrel was given to 166 patients, 135 received Remicade and 103 were given Arava.

Enbrel and Remicade performed significantly better than Arava, according to the report in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. After 20 months, 79 percent of patients taking Enbrel and 75 percent of patients taking Remicade continued to receive the drugs. Only 22 percent of those taking Arava continued with their treatment.

No side effects or adverse reactions were recorded that differed from those found in previous clinical trials.

Other sources: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases