Role of MTX in Rheumatoid Arthritis
MTX (Rheumatrex, Trexall) is considered the most effective DMARD for RA. Approximately 30% of patients will achieve low-disease activity on MTX monotherapy. MTX acts relatively quickly after being started, often within several weeks. In addition to its clinical efficacy, MTX retards new erosions in involved joints. Using other drugs (HCQ and SSZ) in combination with MTX has resulted in improved efficacy over MTX alone without an additive increase in side effects.
