To determine the long-term safety and efficacy of 10-deazaaminopterin (10-DAM) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A 1-year continuation of an initial 15-week randomized, double-blind clinical trial of 10-DAM and methotrexate (MTX).
10-DAM (n = 10) and MTX (n = 8) had comparable safety and efficacy profiles. One 10-DAM-treated and 2 MTX-treated patients experienced transient side effects; 1 MTX-treated patient experienced recurrent nausea and discontinued MTX.
10-DAM appears to be as beneficial and as safe as MTX for the treatment of RA.