Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications

There are numerous rheumatoid arthritis medications on the market, each designed to treat a different aspect of the disease. Since each person experiences the disease differently, there is not a specific drug or collection of drugs that will definitely work for everyone. Finding the right combination of drugs, usually through trial and error, is the key to success in treating this progressive disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

• Anti-inflammatory drugs are always prescribed for people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The disease causes swelling and tenderness around the joints, making these particular drugs the first line of defense in combating pain and inflammation. Drugs in this category include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Cox-2 inhibitors (selective NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. These drugs may come in pill or cream form or they may need to be injected.

Anti-Malarial Drugs

• Anti-malarial drugs are used to treat skin rashes, mouth ulcers and arthritis. This category of drugs, which includes hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, cannot be prescribed to individuals who are pregnant or who are thinking of becoming pregnant, because of the potential for birth defects. Other side effects can include blurred vision, cataracts, muscle weakness and allergic reactions. It is recommended that individuals taking drugs in this category have eye examinations every six months.

Immunosuppressive Drugs

• When the corticosteroid drugs don't seem to be working in treating rheumatoid arthritis, immunosuppressive drugs are often prescribed. Immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis because it is a disease caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells. By suppressing the immune system, the disease can be calmed down or even eased into remission. A serious side effect of immunosuppressive drugs is the inability to fight off infections. Other side effects include hair loss, sterility and allergic types of pancreatitis and hepatitis. Immunosuppressive drugs are also known as cytotoxic (cell-killing) drugs.

DMARDS

• DMARDS are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These are commonly prescribed shortly after the disease has been diagnosed because the majority of the damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis occurs during the first two years. This category includes intravenous drugs such as Enbrel, Orencia, Rituxan and intramuscular gold salts. Oral drugs in this category include Kineret, Arava and methotrexate. Some side effects of these drugs include hair loss, lymphoma, coughing and shortness of breath.

Investigational Drugs

• Investigational drugs are those that are used in clinical trials. They are often referred to as biologic drugs. Current research is focused on B-cells instead of T-cells. It is believed that B-cells are overactive in the cases of auto-immune diseases. If the cells are depleted, then the auto-immune disease can be forced into remission. Research is also focused on cytokines, which are involved in the inflammation process. Researchers are hopeful that some of the drugs now being used in clinical trials will be effective in slowing down the destruction of the joints in patients with this disabling disease.