Clarithromycin, Methotrexate, and Methylprednisolone (Combination)

This appears to be a combination therapy used primarily in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The search results indicate that this specific combination has been studied for its efficacy in treating active rheumatoid arthritis, with clarithromycin being added to a baseline therapy of methotrexate and methylprednisolone. ## Mechanism and Clinical Use The combination works through multiple mechanisms. Methotrexate functions as an immunosuppressant and antimetabolite, methylprednisolone acts as a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation, and clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that appears to provide additional immunomodulatory effects when combined with the other two medications. Research shows that adding clarithromycin to methotrexate and methylprednisolone can induce remission according to ACR70 criteria in a majority of rheumatoid arthritis patients within 4 weeks, while methotrexate and methylprednisolone alone typically require about 3 months to achieve the same result. ## Administration In the study mentioned in the search results, patients were treated with: - Methotrexate 10-15 mg intramuscularly weekly - Methylprednisolone 4-6 mg daily - Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for the first 15 days followed by 500 mg daily for the remaining 15 days of the first month.

Other names

Clarithromycin-Methotrexate-Methylprednisolone combination therapy