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We evaluated longterm levamisole treatment of 201 rheumatoid patients. Fifty-nine patients in their 1st yr of treatment were not analyzed; of the remaining 142, 69 (49%) still took levamisole with benefit. Levamisole was stopped in 32 patients (22%) for inefficacy and for reversible adverse reactions in 37 (26%). Leukotoxic side-effects were the commonest cause of withdrawal (23 patients = 16%). Since June 1977, we administer levamisole on a 1 d/wk schedule (150 mg), with determination of white blood cells 10 h after intake to detect high-risk patients for agranulocytosis. With disease exacerbation during treatment or lack of response after 6 months, the drug is given on a 2nd non-consecutive day. Since June 1977, cases of agranulocytosis have not been observed. Allergic vasculitis did not occur with a 1 d/wk schedule. The absence of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity is stressed. Only 4 patients (3%) were lost to follow-up. Comparison is made with longterm use of gold and D-penicillamine. We conclude that levamisole is a useful slow acting antirheumatic drug.
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
January 1981,
The Journal of rheumatology,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
January 1980,
Agents and actions. Supplements,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
July 1982,
La Clinica terapeutica,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
June 1976,
Revue du rhumatisme et des maladies osteo-articulaires,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
January 1981,
Terapevticheskii arkhiv,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
March 1982,
Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
October 1977,
La Nouvelle presse medicale,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
March 1977,
Revue du rhumatisme et des maladies osteo-articulaires,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
August 1978,
Annals of the rheumatic diseases,
E M Veys, and
H Mielants, and
G Verbruggen, and
E Dhondt, and
L Goethals, and
L Cheroutre, and
H Buelens
September 1976,
The Medical journal of Australia,
