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Even though there is no definite treatment for RA or rheumatoid arthritis to date, there are a wide variety of available medications in pharmacies that are meant to manage its symptoms and in due course improve the patient’s health.
Overall, rheumatoid arthritis medications can be categorized into distinct categories, as described in the succeeding paragraphs. Physicians will probably recommend proper treatment plan to reduce joint inflammation and pain, plus avert further joint damage. On a case to case basis, the most effective treatment can be attained through a combination of the following options:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, abbreviated as NSAIDs, are effective in pain relief and inflammation reduction, but do not serve to protect the joints from further damage. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs stop the human body from producing prostaglandins, which is chiefly responsible for generating pain and inflammation.
Examples of these are naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil). Some more NSAIDs include meloxicam (Mobic), etodolac (Lodine), ketoprofen (Orudis), indomethacin, Celecoxib (Celebrex), oxaprozin (Daypro) diclofenac (Cataflam & Voltaren), nabumetone (Relafen), and piroxicam (Feldene).
NSAID medications are commonly advised after a final RA diagnosis is made. But remember that when taken in excess dosages for a long time, these drugs may produce adverse side effects, like gastric ulcers, stomach bleeding, plus kidney and liver damage.
Corticosteroids
One more type of medication used for RA treatment is corticosteroids. These medications suppress the immune system, thus reducing inflammation.
Cortisone (Cortone), methylprednisolone (SoluMedrol, DepoMedrol), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), triamcinolone (Aristocort), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), as well as prednisone (Orasone & Deltasone), are some of the most common corticosteroids.
Although corticosteroids can be successful in RA treatment, they have been said to trigger adverse side effects if used in extended periods of time. Examples of such side effects include easy bruising, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, thinning bones, and excessive weight gain.
Due to the risks of adverse side effects, corticosteroids are often only used as a temporary remedy to manage sudden RA outbreaks. The good news is that just one injection of the drug will inhabit inflammation of a specific joint for prolonged periods.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs
DMARDs (or Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) pertain to a type of medications that serve to inhibit the immune system from attacking the joints, ultimately hindering the progression of further joint damage. In RA treatment, these medications are frequently consumed together with other drugs for increased efficiency.
RA commonly causes permanent joint damage, which becomes apparent in the early stages of the disease. Accordingly, most medical specialists would recommend DMARDs soon after diagnosis. You are most receptive to DMARDs during the early stages of RA. The sooner the medication is consumed, the more beneficial it is for the RA patient.
Common DMARD examples include cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), gold salts (Solganal, Ridaura, Myochrysine, Aurolate), penicillamine (Cuprimine), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), leflunomide (Arava), and minocycline.
While various DMARD brands have been successful in RA treatment, the potential for negative side effects is high. Using DMARDs for a long time may set off liver and bone marrow toxicity, propensity for infections, skin allergies, as well as autoimmunity.
Of the DMARDs listed above, hydroxychloroquine has the lowest risk of triggering liver & bone marrow toxicity, and is therefore deemed to be one of the safest DMARDs to use. The bad news is that hydroxychloroquine isn’t a particularly powerful medication and is not strong enough on its own to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
Conversely, methotrexate is deemed to be one of the most powerful DMARDs to use in RA treatment because of a number of factors. It has been proven to effectively fight RA without affecting the toxicity of the bone marrow and liver like most other DMARDs. Moreover, methotrexate has been proven effective and safe when used in combination with biological agents, which are another type of RA drugs discussed below. Consequently, these drugs are commonly recommended in combination with biological agents if the drug fails to adequately treat the condition on its own. On the other hand, it should be noted that although methotrexate is not as risky as others, it still has the ability to block the bone marrow or cause hepatitis. In such cases, regular blood tests are recommended to manage the individual’s condition, and to cease treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Biological Agents
Biological agents, also known as biological drugs, work to lessen inflammation through different methods.
One means through which biological agents work is by blocking TNFs (tumor necrosis factors). Etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), and infliximab (Remicade) are TNF blockers.
Another method of how biological agents alleviate inflammation is by destroying B cells. Rituxan (Rituximab), for instance, fuses itself to B cells, hence destroying them.
Other medications that reduce inflammation in different ways are:
- tocilizumab (RoActemra and Actemra), works by blocking interleukin (IL-6)
- anakinra (Kineret), functions by blocking interleukin 1 or IL-1
- abatacept (i.e. Orencia), blocks T-cells
Bear in mind 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 body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause arthritis pain and inflammation. Of late, the use of salicylates have been widely replaced with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), primarily given the fact that salicylates can cause adverse side effects, such as damaging the kidney.
Pain Relief Medications
Lastly, several pain relief medications can likewise be used in RA treatment. Examples of pain relief medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and tramadol (Ultram).
Though pain relief medications neither alleviate inflammation nor prevent the progression of further joint damage, these drugs allow the individual to feel more comfortable and ultimately function better. It is because of this that anti-pain drugs are absolutely worth mentioning.
Surgery as a Last Resort
If the medications listed above prove ineffective, your physician may likely recommend surgical treatment. Examples of surgeries meant to treat rheumatoid arthritis include tendon repair, joint lining removal (i.e. synovectomy), and arthroplasty (i.e. joint replacement surgery), wherein the damaged joint is replaced with prosthetics.
To grab your Free Arthritis Relief Guide, and to read more articles related to Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications List, please visit this arthritis website.
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