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Methotrexate plus sulfasalazine
Methotrexate and sulfasalazine together suppress immune-mediated inflammation by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase and reducing bacterial antigen processing, respectively.
Methotrexate and sulfasalazine work together as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) by suppressing immune cell proliferation and reducing inflammatory cytokine production. Used for Rheumatoid arthritis, Other inflammatory arthropathies.
At a glance
| Generic name | Methotrexate plus sulfasalazine |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Singapore General Hospital |
| Drug class | Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) combination |
| Target | Multiple (dihydrofolate reductase, folate metabolism; sulfapyridine and 5-ASA mechanisms) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology / Rheumatology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Methotrexate is a folate antagonist that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, reducing DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in rapidly dividing immune cells. Sulfasalazine is cleaved into sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, which reduce inflammatory mediators and modulate immune responses. The combination provides synergistic anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
Approved indications
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Active inflammatory arthritis
Common side effects
- Nausea and gastrointestinal upset
- Bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)
- Hepatotoxicity
- Infection
- Rash
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- Venlafaxine as Adjunct Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE2)
- The Effect of Cilostazol on Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Severe Psoriatic Arthritis - Early intervEntion to Control Disease: the SPEED Trial (PHASE4)
- Spondyloarthritis: Inducing Drug-free Remission by Early TNF-alpha Blockade (PHASE3)
- Immunosuppressant Management in Rheumatology Patients Undergoing Elective Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (PHASE2)
- Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis With DMARDs: Predictors of Response (PHASE3)
- Clinical Trial Evaluating Methotrexate or Leflunomide + Targeted Therapy Versus Methotrexate or Leflunomide + Sulfasalazine + Hydroxychloroquine in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Insufficient Response to Methotrexate or Leflunomide (PHASE4)
- Methotrexate, Blood Pressure and Arterial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |