Levamisole - a possible alternative to gold and penicillamine in the longterm treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?

One hundred and twenty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied to compare different dose regimens of levamisole with gold and penicillamine. In the first study, in 75 patients, 450 mg of levamisole weekly was found to be as effective as gold or penicillamine, but considerably more toxic. In the second study, in 48 patients, 150 mg of levamisole weekly was found to be less toxic than 450 mg, but when compared with gold, no significant benefit could be demonstrated after 6 months of therapy.