Does chloroquine decrease liver enzyme abnormalities induced by methoterexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

• Main Authors: P Mottaghi, H Karimzade
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2005-05-01
• Series: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
• Online Access: http://journals.mui.ac.ir/jrms/article/view/131

Background: Methotrexate has been the most frequently used antirheumatic drug in rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, the possibility of hepatotoxicity continues to represent a major problem in tolerance. This study evaluated beneficial effect of chloroquine on incidence of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treated with Methotrexate.
 Methods: Eighty patients with RA who had elapsed from onset of disease less than two years, randomly divided into two groups (MTX alone vs MTX with Chloroquine). Liver enzymes and some indicators of disease activity were evaluated in two months intervals and for maximum of 10 months follow-up.
 Results: Five patients (12.5%) in MTX group and four patients (10%) in combination regimen developed abnormal liver enzymes. Response rate was more in combination therapy(87.5% ) than MTX alone ( 80%) without significant difference.
 Conclusion: The incidence of liver enzyme abnormalities were not different in patients received MTX alone and MTX with Chloroquine.
 Key words: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Methotrexate, Chloroquine, Liver enzyme