This invention provides methods of treatment of IL-1 mediated diseases comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group of sulfasalazine, a statin, a glucocorticoid agent, an inhibitor of p38 kinase, an anti-IL-6-receptor antibody, anakinra, an IL-1 monoclonal antibody, an inhibitor of JAK3 protein tyrosine kinase, a M-CSF monoclonal antibody or a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and a benzamide inhibitor of the P2X7 receptor of the formula: wherein R1-R3 are as defined herein. The methods of the invention are useful in the treatment of IL-1 mediated disorders, including, without limitation, inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; allergies, asthma, COPD, cancer, reperfusion or ischemia in stroke or heart attack, autoimmune diseases and other disorders.