A safety analysis of oral prednisone as a pretreatment for rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

The administration of 100 mg of methylprednisolone intravenously (IV) 1/2 h prior to rituximab decreases the incidence of acute infusion reactions (AIRs). However, this pretreatment adds considerable time and conveys potential risk. We performed an open-label prospective assessment of oral prednisone as a pretreatment to rituximab.

Leflunomide use during the first 33 months after food and drug administration approval: experience with a national cohort of 3,325 patients.

Objective: To describe leflunomide (LEF) use in a national cohort of 3,325 veterans.

Methods: Prescriptions for LEF and 9 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs written between October 1998 and June 2001 at all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were obtained from VA national databases.

Results: LEF was initiated with a loading dose of 100 mg daily for 3 days in 61% of patients, and 42% of patients discontinued LEF.