Although there is no definite treatment for RA or rheumatoid arthritis thus far, there are a range of available drugs in the market that are designed to alleviate its symptoms and eventually improve the condition.
Overall, RA medications may be grouped into different categories, as described in the following paragraphs. Your doctor will probably make the right medical treatment to reduce joint pain and inflammation, and avert further joint damage. On a case to case basis, effective treatment can be accomplished through a combination of each of the succeeding drugs:
NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs, are effective in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, but do not serve to prevent further damage to the joints. These drugs hinder the human body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which primarily triggers inflammation and 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 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
Another class of medication used for RA treatment is corticosteroids. Such medications block the immune system, ultimately managing 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, 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 or DMARDs
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs pertain to a type of medications that act to block your immune system from assaulting the joints, thus obstructing further joint damage progression. When treating rheumatoid arthritis, these drugs are often taken in combination with other drugs for increased 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.
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 triggering liver and bone marrow toxicity, and is consequently considered to be 1 of the safest DMARDs to use. Unfortunately, hydroxychloroquine is apparently not a particularly powerful drug and is not potent enough on its own to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In contrast, methotrexate is believed to be 1 of the most powerful DMARD types in treating RA because of a number of reasons. It has been known to treat RA without affecting the toxicity of the liver and bone marrow as in other DMARDs. In addition, methotrexate has been proven safe and effective when used alongside biological agents, which are another classification of RA drugs to be discussed later. Consequently, methotrexate is often recommended in combination with some biological agents if the drug does not cure the disease on its own. On the other hand, do note while methotrexate is not as risky as others, it still canblock the bone marrow or trigger hepatitis. In such cases, getting regular blood tests are recommended to guide the individual's condition, as well as to stop treatment at the first hint of problems.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs function to treat inflammation via a range of methods.
An example of how biological drugs work is by inhibiting tumor necrosis factors (TNFs). Adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and etanercept (Enbrel) are some TNF blockers.
One other method of how biological agents control inflammation is by eradicating B cells. Rituximab (Rituxan), in particular, unites with B cells, hence destroying them.
Further medications that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (e.g. Actemra and RoActemra), functions by blocking IL-6 or interleukin - anakinra (e.g. Kineret), which works by blocking interleukin 1 or IL-1 - abatacept (Orencia), works by blocking 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 prostaglandins production. Prostaglandins generate the pain and inflammation of arthritis. In recent years, the use of salicylates have been generally replaced with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mainly since salicylates can cause negative side effects, such as damaging the kidney.
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).
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. - 20765
Overall, RA medications may be grouped into different categories, as described in the following paragraphs. Your doctor will probably make the right medical treatment to reduce joint pain and inflammation, and avert further joint damage. On a case to case basis, effective treatment can be accomplished through a combination of each of the succeeding drugs:
NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs, are effective in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, but do not serve to prevent further damage to the joints. These drugs hinder the human body from manufacturing a substance called prostaglandins, which primarily triggers inflammation and 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 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
Another class of medication used for RA treatment is corticosteroids. Such medications block the immune system, ultimately managing 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, 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 or DMARDs
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs pertain to a type of medications that act to block your immune system from assaulting the joints, thus obstructing further joint damage progression. When treating rheumatoid arthritis, these drugs are often taken in combination with other drugs for increased 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.
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 triggering liver and bone marrow toxicity, and is consequently considered to be 1 of the safest DMARDs to use. Unfortunately, hydroxychloroquine is apparently not a particularly powerful drug and is not potent enough on its own to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In contrast, methotrexate is believed to be 1 of the most powerful DMARD types in treating RA because of a number of reasons. It has been known to treat RA without affecting the toxicity of the liver and bone marrow as in other DMARDs. In addition, methotrexate has been proven safe and effective when used alongside biological agents, which are another classification of RA drugs to be discussed later. Consequently, methotrexate is often recommended in combination with some biological agents if the drug does not cure the disease on its own. On the other hand, do note while methotrexate is not as risky as others, it still canblock the bone marrow or trigger hepatitis. In such cases, getting regular blood tests are recommended to guide the individual's condition, as well as to stop treatment at the first hint of problems.
Biological Agents
Biological agents or biological drugs function to treat inflammation via a range of methods.
An example of how biological drugs work is by inhibiting tumor necrosis factors (TNFs). Adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and etanercept (Enbrel) are some TNF blockers.
One other method of how biological agents control inflammation is by eradicating B cells. Rituximab (Rituxan), in particular, unites with B cells, hence destroying them.
Further medications that reduce inflammation through their own way are:
- tocilizumab (e.g. Actemra and RoActemra), functions by blocking IL-6 or interleukin - anakinra (e.g. Kineret), which works by blocking interleukin 1 or IL-1 - abatacept (Orencia), works by blocking 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 prostaglandins production. Prostaglandins generate the pain and inflammation of arthritis. In recent years, the use of salicylates have been generally replaced with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mainly since salicylates can cause negative side effects, such as damaging the kidney.
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).
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. - 20765
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