RESUMO
Methotrexate has been the most frequently used antirheumatic drug in rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, the possibility of hepatotoxicity continues to represent a major problem in tolerance. This study evaluated beneficial effect of chloroquine on incidence of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] treated with Methotrexate. Eighty patients with RA who had elapsed from onset of disease less than two years, randomly divided into two groups [MTX alone vs MTX with Chloroquine]. Liver enzymes and some indicators of disease activity were evaluated in two months intervals and for maximum of 10 months follow-up. Five patients [12.5%] in MTX group and four patients [10%] in combination regimen developed abnormal liver enzymes. Response rate was more in combination therapy [87.5%] than MTX alone [80%] without significant difference. The incidence of liver enzyme abnormalities were not different in patients received MTX alone and MTX with Chloroquine