A MULTICENTER DOUBLE-BLIND CONTROLLED-STUDY OF LOBENZARIT, A NOVEL IMMUNOMODULATOR, IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (5) , 615-623
Abstract
A multicenter double-blind study was carried out in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing treatment with a novel immunomodulator, lobenzarit, disodium 4-chloro-2,2''-iminodibenzoate, with an inert placebo. Both groups of patients received 75 mg/day of indomethacin as a basal regimen during the study period of 16 wk. Group 1 (115 patients) received 240 mg/day lobenzarit, 80 mg TID [three times a day], and group 2 (115 patients) received placebo TID orally. A statistically significant improvement was noted in the number of swollen joints and in the Lansbury index at weeks 12 and 16 in group 1 as compared to group 2. Overall clinical effectiveness was significantly higher in group 1 (63%) than in group 2 (43%). Incidence of side effects was 38% in group 1 and 22% in group 2. The most frequent side effect in both groups was gastrointestinal upset. Lobenzarit apparently is a useful agent in the treatment of patients with RA.