Intramuscular Administration of Steroids in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In a preliminary report (Zuckner, 1961) on intramuscular steroid therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, results of approximately 100 injections of triamcinolone acetonide (hereafter referred to as TACTN)* and triamcinolone diacetate (or TDAC)t were described. The responses to this method of steroid administration were satisfactory in most cases, and compared favourably with those following the oral administration of steroids. In about 25 per cent. of cases, the anti-rheumatic effect was superior. This study has been continued, and in the ensuing 18 months another 820 injections have been evaluated. Other steroids were also tried for comparison of their antirheumatic effectiveness by intramuscular administration. These included the depot preparation of 6-methyl prednisolone (referred to as DM)", triamcinolone acetonide tertiary-butylacetate (TATBA)t, and triamcinolone acetonide monoenanthate (TM)§. The chemical formulae of these preparations are shown in the figure opposite.