FDA Approves New Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its approval of a new medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The subcutaneous injectable methotrexate therapy known as Rasuvo has also been approved to treat polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) and psoriasis. According to a statement from Medac Pharma, Inc., the maker of the drug, Rasuvo has been approved in 10 dosages that range from 7.5 mg to 30 mg in 2.5 mg increments.

Medac President and CEO Terri Shoemaker said the approval marked a big day for patients who will benefit from the therapy.

“Methotrexate has long been recognized as a mainstay in RA therapy,” she said. “With its virtually painless administration, broad dose range, and significantly enhanced bioavailablity, we believe Rasuvo may benefit those patients using methotrexate.”

The approval was also greeted as a step forward for RA patients by Eric Ruderman, MD, a rheumatologist and Professor of Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“As a rheumatologist, I believe Rasuvo will offer patients the opportunity to maximize the benefit they get from methotrexate,” Ruderman said, adding that the drug’s “dosing flexibility, in particular, will be very helpful, as RA patients do not all respond equally to methotrexate, making it important to select a treatment regimen that is appropriate for the patient’s condition.”