[Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with low doses of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii].

Thirty two cases of rheumatoid arthritis were treated with multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (T2) in a dosage of 30 mg daily for 12 weeks. Significant improvements in clinical and laboratory variables were observed. In comparison with the results of routine dose of T2 (60 mg per day) treatment, there was no significant difference to be seen between the two treatment plans. Meanwhile, symptom of rash and slightly alimentary canal lower incidences and milder manifestations of side effects of T2 were found in the patients of low dose group than in that of routine dose group. It is suggested that it is reasonable to choose the dose of 30 mg daily as the routine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients.