What Are the Treatments for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis?

It is helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis if the disease is caught early. This will help lessen the likelihood of deformity occurring within the affected joints and control the progression of the disease.

Definition

• Early treatment is considered treatment given two years or prior into the disease diagnosis.

Expert Insight

• According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, patients have an increased chance of early detection of rheumatoid arthritis due to modern detection science.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

• ArthritisToday.org refers to a 1989 study that determined how important it is to begin arthritis treatment early using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate to slow the progression of the disease.

DMARD Warning

• Side effects vary but may include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe lung infections.

Immunosuppressants

• Immunosuppressants help control the immune system and stop it from continuing to destroy joints. Aazathioprine, cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide are examples of these drugs.

Immunosuppressants Warning

• Using these drugs affects the body's ability to fight infection.