A double-blind comparison of high and low doses of levamisole in rheumatoid arthritis.

A randomized, double-blind study was performed to compare the efficacy of 2 different regimens for levamisole in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis over a period of six months. A dose of 150 mg once weekly was shown to be less efficacious than 150 mg on 3 consecutive days. Although the low dose produced fewer adverse effects, only subjective improvement was demonstrated. Only 14% of patients responded to the low dose, according to defined criteria, compared with 45% response to the high dose.