While there is no definite cure for RA or rheumatoid arthritis at present, there are a wide variety of available drugs in pharmacies that are designed to alleviate its symptoms and eventually improve the 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, a.k.a. 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.
Examples of these are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Other NSAID examples include ketoprofen (Orudis), etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), Celecoxib (Celebrex), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), nabumetone (Relafen), and piroxicam (Feldene).
These medications are regularly advised when a final diagnosis of RA is made. But keep in mind that when consumed in excessive dosages for a long time, NSAIDs can cause negative side effects, such as stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, as well as kidney and liver damage.
Corticosteroids
A different classification of RA medication is corticosteroids. These medications block the immune system, ultimately reducing 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.
While corticosteroids may be successful in treating RA, they have been known to trigger adverse side effects when taken in extended periods. Some side effects include glaucoma, cataracts, easy bruising, diabetes, thinning bones, and excessive weight gain.
On account of their potential to develop severe side effects, such medications are often only used as a temporary solution to treat sudden outbreaks of RA. On the plus side, a single corticosteroid injection can inhabit inflammation of the joint for prolonged periods.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (a.k.a. DMARDs) pertain to a class of drugs that serve to suppress the immune system from causing damage to the joints, thus impeding further joint damage. When treating RA, such drugs are usually used together with other drugs for more effective results.
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.
Some DMARD examples are methotrexate (Rheumatrex), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), gold salts (Solganal, Aurolate, Myochrysine, Ridaura), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), minocycline, leflunomide (Arava), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
Though a number of DMARDs have been proven effective in RA treatment, the potential for severe side effects is high. Using DMARDs for a long time can lead to toxicity of the liver and bone marrow, susceptibility to infections, allergies (particularly of the skin), and autoimmunity.
Among the DMARDs mentioned above, hydroxychloroquine has the least potential for producing liver & bone marrow toxicity, and is thus deemed to be one of the safest DMARDs. On the other hand, hydroxychloroquine is by no means a powerful drug by itself, and is not strong enough on its own to control rheumatoid arthritis 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 drugs or biological agents serve to lessen inflammation through a variety of ways.
One example of how biological drugs work is by inhibiting tumor necrosis factors (TNFs). Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade) are examples of TNF blockers.
One other example of how biological agents alleviate inflammation is through destroying B cells. The Rituximab (Rituxan) drug, in particular, unites with B cells, ultimately killing them.
Further medications 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 biological agent has its own risks for specific adverse side effects. The risks for side effects must be considered when recommending it to any individual.
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
Finally, various pain relief medications can likewise be taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Some pain relief medications include 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 the medications previously listed do not produce results, a doctor may likely recommend surgical treatment. Some surgeries used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment are tendon repair, synovectomy (removal of the joint lining), as well as joint replacement surgery (i.e. arthroplasty), in which the damaged joint is replaced with prosthetic ones. - 15255
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, a.k.a. 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.
Examples of these are naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Other NSAID examples include ketoprofen (Orudis), etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), Celecoxib (Celebrex), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), nabumetone (Relafen), and piroxicam (Feldene).
These medications are regularly advised when a final diagnosis of RA is made. But keep in mind that when consumed in excessive dosages for a long time, NSAIDs can cause negative side effects, such as stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, as well as kidney and liver damage.
Corticosteroids
A different classification of RA medication is corticosteroids. These medications block the immune system, ultimately reducing 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.
While corticosteroids may be successful in treating RA, they have been known to trigger adverse side effects when taken in extended periods. Some side effects include glaucoma, cataracts, easy bruising, diabetes, thinning bones, and excessive weight gain.
On account of their potential to develop severe side effects, such medications are often only used as a temporary solution to treat sudden outbreaks of RA. On the plus side, a single corticosteroid injection can inhabit inflammation of the joint for prolonged periods.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (a.k.a. DMARDs) pertain to a class of drugs that serve to suppress the immune system from causing damage to the joints, thus impeding further joint damage. When treating RA, such drugs are usually used together with other drugs for more effective results.
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.
Some DMARD examples are methotrexate (Rheumatrex), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), gold salts (Solganal, Aurolate, Myochrysine, Ridaura), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), minocycline, leflunomide (Arava), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
Though a number of DMARDs have been proven effective in RA treatment, the potential for severe side effects is high. Using DMARDs for a long time can lead to toxicity of the liver and bone marrow, susceptibility to infections, allergies (particularly of the skin), and autoimmunity.
Among the DMARDs mentioned above, hydroxychloroquine has the least potential for producing liver & bone marrow toxicity, and is thus deemed to be one of the safest DMARDs. On the other hand, hydroxychloroquine is by no means a powerful drug by itself, and is not strong enough on its own to control rheumatoid arthritis 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 drugs or biological agents serve to lessen inflammation through a variety of ways.
One example of how biological drugs work is by inhibiting tumor necrosis factors (TNFs). Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade) are examples of TNF blockers.
One other example of how biological agents alleviate inflammation is through destroying B cells. The Rituximab (Rituxan) drug, in particular, unites with B cells, ultimately killing them.
Further medications 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 biological agent has its own risks for specific adverse side effects. The risks for side effects must be considered when recommending it to any individual.
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
Finally, various pain relief medications can likewise be taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Some pain relief medications include 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 the medications previously listed do not produce results, a doctor may likely recommend surgical treatment. Some surgeries used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment are tendon repair, synovectomy (removal of the joint lining), as well as joint replacement surgery (i.e. arthroplasty), in which the damaged joint is replaced with prosthetic ones. - 15255
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