Medicines used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a crippling
form of Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that
produces chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also
cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, and in other organs in
the body. Symptoms include stiff, swollen joints, fever, fatigue, and loss
of appetite.
Treating Rhematoid Athristis with Antirhematic drugs
In the early
stages of treatment, the drugs prescribed for Rheumatoid Arthritis are often
the same as those used to treat the more common form of Arthritis,
Osteoarthritis. These include Aspirin, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDs), and, sometimes, Steroids. The stronger drugs may slow the progress
of the disease, as well as reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
In recent years, doctors have started using Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic
Drugs (DMARDs)/ These drugs are used early in the history of the disease and
are less inclined to wait for crippling stages. Anti-Rheumatic Drugs include
Hydroxychloroquine, which is also used to treat Malaria; Penicillamine;
Azathioprine; and Methotrexate, which is also used to treat some types of
Cancer.
Major Classes of Antirhematic Drugs
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):They bring
symptomatic relief of both inflammation and pain.
- Corticosteroids: These drugs are very effective
antiinflammatory agents. They are used to reduce inflammation and
suppress activity of the immune system.
- Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): They prevent
the disease process itself and do not only treat symptoms.
- Slow-Acting Antirheumatic Drugs (SAARDs): They belong to a
special class of DMARDs.
- Immunosuppresive cytotoxic drugs: This class of drugs is used
if treatment with NSAIDs and SAARDs have no effect. They have a
stabilizing effect on the immune system.
Common DMARDs
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
- Azathioprine (Imuran)
- Sulfasalazine
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Cyclosporine
- Azathioprine
- Penicillamine
- Sulfasalazine
- Organic gold compounds
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Antirhematic Drugs, DMARDS