Can Enbrel and Arava be used with other strong medications such as methotrexate or cyclosporin?
Methotrexate is currently considered the “backbone” of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Other medications can be added for more complete control of the disease, including Enbrel, Arava or cyclosporin. In many instances, two drugs used in combination are superior to one drug. For example, some rheumatologists prescribe the combination of Plaquenil, Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine. However, when a second or third medication is added the dose of one of the other drugs could conceivably be reduced. Therefore when Enbrel is added to methotrexate, the patient may do so well that the dose of methotrexate may be reduced without loss of effectiveness.
