Antibiotic Therapy for RA

<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width=60><IMG height=50 alt=Question src="http://65.109.238.243/ask-the-expert/images/q.jpg" width=50>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD vAlign=top width=520>Do you recommend Antibiotic Therapy for RA?&nbsp; I am currently on Remicade infusions every 6 wks and 15mg of Methotrexate a week, &amp;&nbsp; 2.5mg of Prednisone, 400mg of Plaqunil a day.&nbsp; I am beginning to feel relief from the infusions (I have had 4 total) but I am still very tired and I keep getting sore throats....not sure why.&nbsp; I can walk much better than I was able to walk a few months ago.&nbsp; Do you think I should explore the Antibiotic therapy or just stick with what I am currently doing and possibly be able to get off of some the my current medications in the near furture?</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width=60><IMG height=50 alt=Answer src="http://65.109.238.243/ask-the-expert/images/a.jpg" width=50>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD vAlign=top width=520>Unless you have a suspected bacterial&nbsp;infection, there is no role for antibiotics in the treatment for RA.&nbsp; This has been looked at extensively over the years.&nbsp; The NIH did a large study looking at both aggressive antibiotic treatments and looking for infection&nbsp;within swollen joints using PCR.&nbsp; There was no evidence for infection.&nbsp; Antibiotics minocycline and doxycycline have been looked at in many controlled trials.&nbsp; There may be a slight benefit from long term use of these antibiotics, but certainly&nbsp;these therapies do not rival the newer biologic treatments&nbsp;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Last update: 10:24 AM Monday, July 16, 2007

Related Questions: