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.
In general, rheumatoid arthritis medications can be grouped into different classes, as discussed in the following paragraphs. Physicians will probably recommend an appropriate plan for treatment to reduce inflammation and pain of the joints, and avert damage to the joints. Depending on each case, the most effective treatment can be accomplished by combining these options:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, abbreviated as NSAIDs, work in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, but don't serve to prevent further damage to the joints. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs impede the body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which is primarily responsible for pain and inflammation.
Some NSAID examples are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil). Other NSAID examples include meloxicam (Mobic), etodolac (Lodine), ketoprofen (Orudis), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin, Celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren & Cataflam), piroxicam (Feldene), and nabumetone (Relafen).
NSAID medications are often prescribed as soon as a positive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made. However, But when consumed in high doses for prolonged periods, these drugs may cause adverse side effects, like stomach bleeding, gastric ulcers, as well as potential damage to the kidney and liver.
Corticosteroids
One more group of medication used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment is corticosteroids. Such drugs impact the immune system, thus lessening inflammation.
Methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), Cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), 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)
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) pertain to a classification of medications that serve to inhibit your immune system from damaging the joints, eventually hindering the progression of further joint damage. In treating rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs are frequently taken on top of other medications for more effective results.
RA commonly causes permanent joint damage, which becomes apparent in the early stages. Accordingly, most physicians would advise DMARDs immediately after RA diagnosis. Individuals are most responsive to DMARD treatment in the initial stages of rheumatoid arthritis. The earlier the medication is taken, the more advantageous it is for the RA sufferer.
Examples of DMARDs are cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), gold salts (Solganal, Myochrysine, Ridaura, Aurolate), penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), minocycline, and leflunomide (Arava).
Though some DMARD brands have been proven effective in RA treatment, the potential for negative side effects is alarming. Using DMARDs for a long time can set off liver and bone marrow toxicity, vulnerability to infections, allergies (e.g. skin), and even autoimmunity.
Of the DMARDs previously listed, hydroxychloroquine has the lowest risk of causing liver and bone marrow toxicity, and is hence deemed to be one of the safest DMARD types. Unfortunately, hydroxychloroquine is by no means an especially powerful medication and is not effective enough on its own to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In contrast, methotrexate is considered to be one of the most powerful DMARDs in RA treatment due to various factors. Methotrexate has been documented to fight RA without affecting the toxicity of the bone marrow and liver as in other DMARDs. Additionally, methotrexate is safe and effective when used in combination with biological agents, which are another group of RA drugs to be discussed later. Therefore, this type of medication is commonly recommended for use with biological agents if methotrexate does not adequately treat the disease on its own. On the other hand, do note although methotrexate is not as potentially unsafe as other DMARDs, it still has the potential toobstruct the bone marrow or set off hepatitis. In such cases, taking regular blood tests are advised to manage the individual's condition, and to stop treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs serve to reduce inflammation via different ways.
One way through which biological agents work is by inhibiting TNFs (tumor necrosis factors). Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade) are examples of TNF blockers.
Another way with which biological agents treat inflammation is through killing B cells. Rituxan (Rituximab), for example, unites with B cells, hence killing them.
Further medications that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (Actemra and RoActemra), functions by blocking interleukin 6 or IL-6 - anakinra (Kineret), blocks IL-1 (interleukin 1) - abatacept (Orencia), which serves to block T-cells
You must consider that each of these biological agents has its own potential for specific adverse side effects. Careful consideration should be given to the drug's side effects when giving it to a patient.
Salicylates
Salicylates reduce the body's production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the cause of the inflammatory and painful symptoms of arthritis. Of late, the use of salicylates have been generally replaced with NSAID, mainly due to the fact that salicylates can cause negative side effects, such as causing potential kidney damage.
Pain Relief Medications
Lastly, various pain relief medications can likewise be taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of pain relief medications are tramadol (Ultram) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Even though pain relief medications neither eliminate inflammation nor prevent further joint damage, these drugs allow the individual achieve a sense of comfort and ultimately function better in his/her daily life. It is because of this that anti-pain drugs are absolutely worth trying.
Surgery as a Last Resort
If the drugs previously discussed prove ineffective, physicians may likely recommend surgical treatment. Some surgeries meant to treat rheumatoid arthritis include tendon repair, synovectomy (i.e. joint lining removal), as well as arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged parts of the joint are replaced with prosthetics. - 15438
In general, rheumatoid arthritis medications can be grouped into different classes, as discussed in the following paragraphs. Physicians will probably recommend an appropriate plan for treatment to reduce inflammation and pain of the joints, and avert damage to the joints. Depending on each case, the most effective treatment can be accomplished by combining these options:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, abbreviated as NSAIDs, work in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, but don't serve to prevent further damage to the joints. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs impede the body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which is primarily responsible for pain and inflammation.
Some NSAID examples are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil). Other NSAID examples include meloxicam (Mobic), etodolac (Lodine), ketoprofen (Orudis), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin, Celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren & Cataflam), piroxicam (Feldene), and nabumetone (Relafen).
NSAID medications are often prescribed as soon as a positive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made. However, But when consumed in high doses for prolonged periods, these drugs may cause adverse side effects, like stomach bleeding, gastric ulcers, as well as potential damage to the kidney and liver.
Corticosteroids
One more group of medication used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment is corticosteroids. Such drugs impact the immune system, thus lessening inflammation.
Methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), Cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), 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)
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) pertain to a classification of medications that serve to inhibit your immune system from damaging the joints, eventually hindering the progression of further joint damage. In treating rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs are frequently taken on top of other medications for more effective results.
RA commonly causes permanent joint damage, which becomes apparent in the early stages. Accordingly, most physicians would advise DMARDs immediately after RA diagnosis. Individuals are most responsive to DMARD treatment in the initial stages of rheumatoid arthritis. The earlier the medication is taken, the more advantageous it is for the RA sufferer.
Examples of DMARDs are cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), gold salts (Solganal, Myochrysine, Ridaura, Aurolate), penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), minocycline, and leflunomide (Arava).
Though some DMARD brands have been proven effective in RA treatment, the potential for negative side effects is alarming. Using DMARDs for a long time can set off liver and bone marrow toxicity, vulnerability to infections, allergies (e.g. skin), and even autoimmunity.
Of the DMARDs previously listed, hydroxychloroquine has the lowest risk of causing liver and bone marrow toxicity, and is hence deemed to be one of the safest DMARD types. Unfortunately, hydroxychloroquine is by no means an especially powerful medication and is not effective enough on its own to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In contrast, methotrexate is considered to be one of the most powerful DMARDs in RA treatment due to various factors. Methotrexate has been documented to fight RA without affecting the toxicity of the bone marrow and liver as in other DMARDs. Additionally, methotrexate is safe and effective when used in combination with biological agents, which are another group of RA drugs to be discussed later. Therefore, this type of medication is commonly recommended for use with biological agents if methotrexate does not adequately treat the disease on its own. On the other hand, do note although methotrexate is not as potentially unsafe as other DMARDs, it still has the potential toobstruct the bone marrow or set off hepatitis. In such cases, taking regular blood tests are advised to manage the individual's condition, and to stop treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs serve to reduce inflammation via different ways.
One way through which biological agents work is by inhibiting TNFs (tumor necrosis factors). Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade) are examples of TNF blockers.
Another way with which biological agents treat inflammation is through killing B cells. Rituxan (Rituximab), for example, unites with B cells, hence killing them.
Further medications that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (Actemra and RoActemra), functions by blocking interleukin 6 or IL-6 - anakinra (Kineret), blocks IL-1 (interleukin 1) - abatacept (Orencia), which serves to block T-cells
You must consider that each of these biological agents has its own potential for specific adverse side effects. Careful consideration should be given to the drug's side effects when giving it to a patient.
Salicylates
Salicylates reduce the body's production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the cause of the inflammatory and painful symptoms of arthritis. Of late, the use of salicylates have been generally replaced with NSAID, mainly due to the fact that salicylates can cause negative side effects, such as causing potential kidney damage.
Pain Relief Medications
Lastly, various pain relief medications can likewise be taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of pain relief medications are tramadol (Ultram) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Even though pain relief medications neither eliminate inflammation nor prevent further joint damage, these drugs allow the individual achieve a sense of comfort and ultimately function better in his/her daily life. It is because of this that anti-pain drugs are absolutely worth trying.
Surgery as a Last Resort
If the drugs previously discussed prove ineffective, physicians may likely recommend surgical treatment. Some surgeries meant to treat rheumatoid arthritis include tendon repair, synovectomy (i.e. joint lining removal), as well as arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged parts of the joint are replaced with prosthetics. - 15438
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