To observe the side effects of Tripterygium preparation (TP) in the course of treatment.
Two hundred and seventy-one cases of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were treated using various TP to observe the occurrence of adverse reaction.
The influence on reproductive system with TP extracted from the leaf ester tab were less than that from the root (TP tab and TP multiglycoside tab, TPMG). In group of TPMG the rate of side effect of 60 mg daily dosage was more than 30 mg daily (P < 0.01). The main influence on digestive tract and irregular menstruation was before age of 50 years and on renal function was after age of 50 years. Those adverse reactions mainly occur within first ten years in long therapy period. The side effects of TPMG produced in the Dampness-Heat type of RA were lower than Yin-Deficiency of Liver and Kidney type of RA (P < 0.05).
TP ester tab is available for young woman and TPMG tab is suitable for the Dampness-Heat type of RA with lower dosis maintenance therapy.