[A new basic drug prospidin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. III. Comparative analysis of prospidin and cyclophosphamide].

A comparative study of the cytostatic drugs prospidin and cyclophosphamide used in equal doses for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is reported. Clinical and immunologic effects were determined, and the nature and incidence of side effects and complications were compared. Prospidin showed a more pronounced antirheumatic effect, making for a smaller daily requirement of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents or hormones in hormone-dependent cases. Unlike cyclophosphamide, prospidin was not associated with severe side effects and complications precluding further use of the drug. Both drugs demonstrated a regulatory effect on RA-associated immunologic disorders.