Notwithstanding that there is no definite treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or RA to date, there are a number of available drugs in pharmacies that are designed to alleviate its symptoms and ultimately improve the patient's condition.
Overall, RA drugs can be classified into distinctive classes, as discussed later in this article. Physicians will probably develop the right treatment plan to alleviate pain and inflammation of the joints, and avert further damage to the joints. On a case to case basis, successful treatment can be attained through a combination of each of the succeeding drugs:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs, work as an anti-inflammatory and in pain relief, but don't function to protect the joints from further damage. These drugs block the body from producing a substance called prostaglandins, which which sets off inflammation & pain.
Some examples of NSAIDs are naproxen (Aleve and Naprosyn) and ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin). Other NSAID examples include etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), ketoprofen (Orudis), Celecoxib (Celebrex), indomethacin, oxaprozin (Daypro), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), piroxicam (Feldene), and nabumetone (Relafen).
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 RA medication is corticosteroids. Such drugs restrain the immune system, ultimately reducing inflammation.
Methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), Cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), and prednisone (Orasone and Deltasone), are some corticosteroids.
While corticosteroids may be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, they have been reported to trigger severe side effects when taken in extended periods. Examples of these side effects include cataracts, easy bruising, glaucoma, excessive weight gain, thinning bones, and diabetes.
Owing to the risks of severe side effects, these drugs are commonly only used as a momentary solution to control sudden attacks of rheumatoid arthritis. The good news is that a single injection of corticosteroids is able to block joint inflammation lasting for a long time.
DMARDs or Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs pertain to a classification of drugs that serve to inhibit your immune system from assaulting the joints, gradually obstructing further progression of joint damage. In rheumatoid arthritis treatment, these drugs are commonly consumed in combination with other drugs for more successful 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.
Examples of DMARDs are cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), gold salts (Ridaura, Aurolate, Solganal, Myochrysine), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), leflunomide (Arava), and minocycline.
While a number of DMARD products have been effective in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, the risks for severe side effects is enormous. Using DMARDs for a long time may lead to toxicity of the bone marrow and liver, susceptibility to infections, allergies (e.g. skin), 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.
In contrast, methotrexate is deemed as 1 of the most powerful DMARD types in rheumatoid arthritis treatment because of a number of reasons. Methotrexate has been documented to treat RA without causing bone marrow and liver toxicity as in most other DMARDs. Additionally, it is safe and effective when used alongside biological agents, another group of RA drugs to be discussed later. It is for this reason that these medications are often recommended in combination with certain biological agents if the drug does not control the disease on its own. However, keep in mind that although methotrexate is not as potentially dangerous as other DMARDs, it still may likelyhinder the bone marrow or cause hepatitis. If this happens, getting regular blood tests are recommended to check the individual's condition, as well as to stop treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Biological Agents
Biological agents, also known as biological drugs, function to lessen inflammation via various methods.
One way through which biological agents work is by blocking TNFs (tumor necrosis factors). Adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and etanercept (Enbrel) are TNF blockers.
One other method of how biological agents treat inflammation is by eradicating B cells. The Rituximab (Rituxan) drug, for example, unites with B cells, ultimately destroying 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
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 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, a variety of pain relief drugs may likewise be used in RA treatment. Examples of medications which have the primary purpose of pain relief are tramadol (Ultram) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
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 these medications still prove ineffective, physicians may recommend surgery. Some surgeries used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment include tendon repair, joint lining removal (synovectomy), and arthroplasty (i.e. joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged joint is replaced with prosthetics.
Overall, RA drugs can be classified into distinctive classes, as discussed later in this article. Physicians will probably develop the right treatment plan to alleviate pain and inflammation of the joints, and avert further damage to the joints. On a case to case basis, successful treatment can be attained through a combination of each of the succeeding drugs:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs, work as an anti-inflammatory and in pain relief, but don't function to protect the joints from further damage. These drugs block the body from producing a substance called prostaglandins, which which sets off inflammation & pain.
Some examples of NSAIDs are naproxen (Aleve and Naprosyn) and ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin). Other NSAID examples include etodolac (Lodine), meloxicam (Mobic), ketoprofen (Orudis), Celecoxib (Celebrex), indomethacin, oxaprozin (Daypro), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), piroxicam (Feldene), and nabumetone (Relafen).
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 RA medication is corticosteroids. Such drugs restrain the immune system, ultimately reducing inflammation.
Methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), Cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), triamcinolone (Aristocort), and prednisone (Orasone and Deltasone), are some corticosteroids.
While corticosteroids may be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, they have been reported to trigger severe side effects when taken in extended periods. Examples of these side effects include cataracts, easy bruising, glaucoma, excessive weight gain, thinning bones, and diabetes.
Owing to the risks of severe side effects, these drugs are commonly only used as a momentary solution to control sudden attacks of rheumatoid arthritis. The good news is that a single injection of corticosteroids is able to block joint inflammation lasting for a long time.
DMARDs or Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs pertain to a classification of drugs that serve to inhibit your immune system from assaulting the joints, gradually obstructing further progression of joint damage. In rheumatoid arthritis treatment, these drugs are commonly consumed in combination with other drugs for more successful 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.
Examples of DMARDs are cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), gold salts (Ridaura, Aurolate, Solganal, Myochrysine), cyclophosphamide, penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), leflunomide (Arava), and minocycline.
While a number of DMARD products have been effective in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, the risks for severe side effects is enormous. Using DMARDs for a long time may lead to toxicity of the bone marrow and liver, susceptibility to infections, allergies (e.g. skin), 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.
In contrast, methotrexate is deemed as 1 of the most powerful DMARD types in rheumatoid arthritis treatment because of a number of reasons. Methotrexate has been documented to treat RA without causing bone marrow and liver toxicity as in most other DMARDs. Additionally, it is safe and effective when used alongside biological agents, another group of RA drugs to be discussed later. It is for this reason that these medications are often recommended in combination with certain biological agents if the drug does not control the disease on its own. However, keep in mind that although methotrexate is not as potentially dangerous as other DMARDs, it still may likelyhinder the bone marrow or cause hepatitis. If this happens, getting regular blood tests are recommended to check the individual's condition, as well as to stop treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Biological Agents
Biological agents, also known as biological drugs, function to lessen inflammation via various methods.
One way through which biological agents work is by blocking TNFs (tumor necrosis factors). Adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and etanercept (Enbrel) are TNF blockers.
One other method of how biological agents treat inflammation is by eradicating B cells. The Rituximab (Rituxan) drug, for example, unites with B cells, ultimately destroying 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
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 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, a variety of pain relief drugs may likewise be used in RA treatment. Examples of medications which have the primary purpose of pain relief are tramadol (Ultram) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
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 these medications still prove ineffective, physicians may recommend surgery. Some surgeries used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment include tendon repair, joint lining removal (synovectomy), and arthroplasty (i.e. joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged joint is replaced with prosthetics.
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