ROLE OF ANTIMALARIALS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - THE BRITISH-EXPERIENCE

Antimalarials have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for ov er 40 years, the first report of suggestive efficacy being published i n 1951(1). Over the years they have become part of the established tre atment of RA being one of a category of drugs referred to as disease m odifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The onset of action with antim alarials is slow. Most patients use these drugs in combination with no n-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. This arti cle reviews the evidence for the efficacy of antimalarials, their plac e in comparison to other DMARDs and comments on the current use in RA as perceived in British rheumatology.