Adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, all with methotrexate, are recommended as options for treating active rheumatoid arthritis in adults, only if:
intensive therapy with 2 or more conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has not controlled the disease well enough and
disease is moderate (a disease activity score [DAS28] of 3.2 to 5.1) and
the companies provide adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab at the same or lower prices than those agreed with the Commercial Medicines Unit
Adalimumab and etanercept can be used as monotherapy when methotrexate is contraindicated or not tolerated, when the criteria in above are met
continue treatment only if there is a moderate response measured using European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria at 6 months after starting therapy. If this initial response is not maintained at 6 months, stop treatment
if more than one treatment is suitable, start treatment with the least expensive drug (taking into account administration costs, dose needed and product price per dose). This may vary because of differences in how the drugs are used and treatment schedules
take into account any physical, psychological, sensory or learning disabilities, or communication difficulties that could affect the responses to the DAS28 and make any appropriate adjustments
abatacept with methotrexate is not recommended, within its marketing authorisation, for treating moderate active rheumatoid arthritis in adults when 1 or more DMARDs has not controlled the disease well enough.
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