methylprednisolone + sulphasalazine

The combination of methylprednisolone and sulphasalazine is used primarily in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions, particularly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This combination therapy has been studied in clinical trials and has shown effectiveness in certain patient populations. ## Drug Information Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory properties. It's used for various inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, collagen disorders, dermatologic conditions, allergic states, and other disorders[1][3]. Sulphasalazine (also spelled sulfasalazine) is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. It works by reducing inflammation in the body[7][8][10]. When combined, these medications appear to have synergistic effects in treating inflammatory conditions. Studies have shown that the combination of methylprednisolone and sulphasalazine can be more effective than either drug alone in certain patient populations[1][2]. ## Clinical Evidence The European Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study (ECCDS) found that the combination of 6-methylprednisolone and sulfasalazine was the most effective regimen in previously untreated patients with Crohn's disease (p<0.05) and when the disease was localized in the colon (p<0.001)[2]. Another study showed that pulsed methylprednisolone (PMP) alone was insufficient for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but could be used successfully in combination with sulphasalazine. The combination therapy accelerated the response to treatment by at least six weeks compared to sulphasalazine alone[1]. ## Usage and Dosing In clinical trials, various dosing regimens have been used: - For Crohn's disease: High-dose 6-methylprednisolone combined with 3g of sulfasalazine[2] - For rheumatoid arthritis: Pulsed methylprednisolone (three 1g intravenous infusions on alternate days) combined with sulphasalazine (at a maintenance dose of 2.0g/day)[1]

Other names

6-methylprednisolone + sulfasalazine