Research is raising questions about the way rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are medicated.
Otago University has found that the commonly used drug Methotrexate may be too slow in stemming the onset of joint damage associated with the disease.
Lead researcher Lisa Stamp says dosing normally starts at low levels, based on patient response, but this method may cost valuable treatment time.
The research team says it may be necessary to consider rapidly increasing oral doses of the medicine.
Dr Stamp says injecting the medication may also help circumvent the lag-time.
About 1% of New Zealanders suffer from the constant and sometimes crippling joint pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
