Juvenile Arthritis Helped by Adult Meds

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine touted the efficacy of adult arthritisdrugs methotrexate and leflunomide (Arava) in treating children with arthritis. Whereas methotrexatehas been used for years to treat children with arthritis, it now has been shown to be effectiveat higher doses. The FDA has approved Arava for adult use but not for treating children.

Patients given the higher dose of methotrexate had a 90% response rate, while patients takingArava had a 68% response rate. Both drugs help control the white blood cells that causeinflammation and pain associated with arthritis. The study was funded by Sanofi-Aventis, manufacturerof both drugs.