Even though there is no actual treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to this day, there are a number of available medications in pharmacies that are designed to manage its symptoms and eventually improve the patient's condition.
Overall, rheumatoid arthritis medications may be classified into different types, as discussed in the following paragraphs. Your physician can develop proper treatment plan to reduce inflammation and pain of the joints, plus stop further damage to the joints. Often, effective treatment can be achieved by combining any of the following:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs, work as an anti-inflammatory and in pain relief, but do not function to prevent further damage to the joints. These drugs impede the human body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which primarily triggers pain and inflammation.
Common NSAID examples are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Other examples include ketoprofen (Orudis), etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin, Celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam and Voltaren), nabumetone (Relafen), and piroxicam (Feldene).
These drugs are commonly advised as soon as a positive RA diagnosis is made. But remember that when consumed in extreme dosages for extended periods, these medications can cause severe side effects, including gastric ulcers, stomach bleeding, plus liver and kidney damage.
Corticosteroids
Another class of medication used for RA treatment is corticosteroids. Such medications block the immune system, ultimately managing inflammation.
Betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), Cortisone (Cortone), methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), dexamethasone (Decadron), plus prednisone (Deltasone and Orasone), are some of the most common corticosteroids.
Although corticosteroids may be successful in treating RA, they have been reported to cause negative side effects if taken in prolonged periods. Examples of such side effects include cataracts, easy bruising, glaucoma, thinning bones, diabetes, and excessive weight gain.
On account of their potential to develop severe side effects, these medications are usually only used as a temporary solution to manage sudden rheumatoid arthritis outbreaks. The good news is that just one corticosteroid injection is able to block joint inflammation for a long time.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) pertain to a class of medications that work to inhibit the immune system from assaulting the joints, ultimately obstructing further joint damage. In treating RA, such medications are often taken alongside other medications for greater efficiency.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes permanent damage to the joints, which appears in the early stages. Accordingly, most doctors would advise DMARD therapy soon after making a diagnosis. Patients are most responsive to DMARD treatment in the early stages of RA. The earlier DMARDs are taken, the more advantageous it is for the person.
DMARD examples include cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), gold salts (Aurolate, Myochrysine, Ridaura, Solganal), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), minocycline, leflunomide (Arava), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
While some DMARD products have produced positive results in treating rheumatoid arthritis, the potential for negative side effects is large. Taking DMARDs for a long time can set off toxicity of the liver and bone marrow, infections, allergic reactions, and autoimmunity.
Of the DMARD examples mentioned above, hydroxychloroquine has the lowest risk of producing liver & bone marrow toxicity, and is consequently considered as 1 of the safest DMARDs. The bad news is that hydroxychloroquine isn't a particularly powerful drug and is not strong enough on its own to curtail RA symptoms.
Conversely, methotrexate is believed to be one of the most powerful DMARDs in treating RA due to a number of reasons. It has been documented to work in RA treatment without affecting the toxicity of the liver and bone marrow as in the majority of DMARDs. Moreover, methotrexate has been proven safe and effective when used in combination with biological agents, another type of RA drugs to be discussed later. Therefore, it is commonly recommended for use with some biological agents in cases where the drug fails to manage the condition on its own. But please note while methotrexate is not as potentially dangerous as others, it still canhinder the bone marrow or set off hepatitis. In such cases, getting regular blood tests are recommended to guide the individual's condition, and to stop treatment at the first indication of problems.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs serve to reduce inflammation via different ways.
One way through which biological drugs work is by inhibiting TNFs or tumor necrosis factors. Infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and etanercept (Enbrel) are common TNF blockers.
Another method of how biological agents curtail inflammation is through killing B cells. Rituximab (Rituxan), for example, merges itself to B cells, ultimately destroying them.
Other drugs that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (e.g. RoActemra and Actemra), works by blocking IL-6/interleukin - anakinra (e.g. Kineret), serves to block interleukin 1 (IL-1) - abatacept (i.e. Orencia), blocks T-cells
One thing to consider is that each of these biological drugs has its own potential for negative side effects. A drug's side effects must be considered when recommending it to an individual.
Salicylates
Salicylates function by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins produce the inflammation and pain of arthritis. In recent times, salicylates have been generally replaced with NSAIDs, primarily because the former can cause negative side effects, including causing potential kidney damage.
Pain Relief Medications
Lastly, various pain relief drugs can likewise be taken in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Examples of pain relief medications are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and tramadol (Ultram).
Although pain relief medications neither eliminate inflammation nor delay the progression of joint damage, these medications allow the patient to feel more comfortable and in due course improve his/her overall condition. It is because of this that pain relief medications are absolutely worth considering.
Surgery as a Last Resort
If all the medications discussed previously fail to produce results, a physician may probably recommend surgical treatment. Some surgical procedures used in RA treatment are tendon repair, joint lining removal (i.e. synovectomy), as well as arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged parts of the joint are replaced with prosthetics. - 16650
Overall, rheumatoid arthritis medications may be classified into different types, as discussed in the following paragraphs. Your physician can develop proper treatment plan to reduce inflammation and pain of the joints, plus stop further damage to the joints. Often, effective treatment can be achieved by combining any of the following:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs, work as an anti-inflammatory and in pain relief, but do not function to prevent further damage to the joints. These drugs impede the human body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which primarily triggers pain and inflammation.
Common NSAID examples are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Other examples include ketoprofen (Orudis), etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin, Celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam and Voltaren), nabumetone (Relafen), and piroxicam (Feldene).
These drugs are commonly advised as soon as a positive RA diagnosis is made. But remember that when consumed in extreme dosages for extended periods, these medications can cause severe side effects, including gastric ulcers, stomach bleeding, plus liver and kidney damage.
Corticosteroids
Another class of medication used for RA treatment is corticosteroids. Such medications block the immune system, ultimately managing inflammation.
Betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), Cortisone (Cortone), methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), dexamethasone (Decadron), plus prednisone (Deltasone and Orasone), are some of the most common corticosteroids.
Although corticosteroids may be successful in treating RA, they have been reported to cause negative side effects if taken in prolonged periods. Examples of such side effects include cataracts, easy bruising, glaucoma, thinning bones, diabetes, and excessive weight gain.
On account of their potential to develop severe side effects, these medications are usually only used as a temporary solution to manage sudden rheumatoid arthritis outbreaks. The good news is that just one corticosteroid injection is able to block joint inflammation for a long time.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) pertain to a class of medications that work to inhibit the immune system from assaulting the joints, ultimately obstructing further joint damage. In treating RA, such medications are often taken alongside other medications for greater efficiency.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes permanent damage to the joints, which appears in the early stages. Accordingly, most doctors would advise DMARD therapy soon after making a diagnosis. Patients are most responsive to DMARD treatment in the early stages of RA. The earlier DMARDs are taken, the more advantageous it is for the person.
DMARD examples include cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), gold salts (Aurolate, Myochrysine, Ridaura, Solganal), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), minocycline, leflunomide (Arava), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
While some DMARD products have produced positive results in treating rheumatoid arthritis, the potential for negative side effects is large. Taking DMARDs for a long time can set off toxicity of the liver and bone marrow, infections, allergic reactions, and autoimmunity.
Of the DMARD examples mentioned above, hydroxychloroquine has the lowest risk of producing liver & bone marrow toxicity, and is consequently considered as 1 of the safest DMARDs. The bad news is that hydroxychloroquine isn't a particularly powerful drug and is not strong enough on its own to curtail RA symptoms.
Conversely, methotrexate is believed to be one of the most powerful DMARDs in treating RA due to a number of reasons. It has been documented to work in RA treatment without affecting the toxicity of the liver and bone marrow as in the majority of DMARDs. Moreover, methotrexate has been proven safe and effective when used in combination with biological agents, another type of RA drugs to be discussed later. Therefore, it is commonly recommended for use with some biological agents in cases where the drug fails to manage the condition on its own. But please note while methotrexate is not as potentially dangerous as others, it still canhinder the bone marrow or set off hepatitis. In such cases, getting regular blood tests are recommended to guide the individual's condition, and to stop treatment at the first indication of problems.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs serve to reduce inflammation via different ways.
One way through which biological drugs work is by inhibiting TNFs or tumor necrosis factors. Infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and etanercept (Enbrel) are common TNF blockers.
Another method of how biological agents curtail inflammation is through killing B cells. Rituximab (Rituxan), for example, merges itself to B cells, ultimately destroying them.
Other drugs that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (e.g. RoActemra and Actemra), works by blocking IL-6/interleukin - anakinra (e.g. Kineret), serves to block interleukin 1 (IL-1) - abatacept (i.e. Orencia), blocks T-cells
One thing to consider is that each of these biological drugs has its own potential for negative side effects. A drug's side effects must be considered when recommending it to an individual.
Salicylates
Salicylates function by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins produce the inflammation and pain of arthritis. In recent times, salicylates have been generally replaced with NSAIDs, primarily because the former can cause negative side effects, including causing potential kidney damage.
Pain Relief Medications
Lastly, various pain relief drugs can likewise be taken in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Examples of pain relief medications are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and tramadol (Ultram).
Although pain relief medications neither eliminate inflammation nor delay the progression of joint damage, these medications allow the patient to feel more comfortable and in due course improve his/her overall condition. It is because of this that pain relief medications are absolutely worth considering.
Surgery as a Last Resort
If all the medications discussed previously fail to produce results, a physician may probably recommend surgical treatment. Some surgical procedures used in RA treatment are tendon repair, joint lining removal (i.e. synovectomy), as well as arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged parts of the joint are replaced with prosthetics. - 16650
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