HOW
IS RA TREATED?
Currently, there is no cure for RA. Until the cause of
RA is known it may not be possible to eliminate the disease entirely. However,
highly effective treatment exists, and early treatment is critical to prevent
the damage that RA can cause. So once you have a diagnosis, you should begin treatment
right away. Current treatment methods include drug treatments and lifestyle modifications.
They focus on reliving pain, reducing inflammation, stopping or slowing joint
damage, and improving patient function and well-being. Modern treatments have
substantially improved the quality of life for people with RA. Your treatment
program should be tailored to meet your needs, taking into account the severity
of your arthritis, other medical conditions your may have and your individual
lifestyle. Your rheumatologist and other members of your health-care team will
work with each other and with you to find the best treatment program.
YOUR
HEALTH-CARE TEAM
Treating RA often requires a team approach in which you
benefit from the expertise of health professionals from different disciplines.
A rheumatologist, a physician with special training in arthritis and other diseases
of the bones, muscles and joints, should be involved and generally serves as the
leader of the health-care team. The rheumatologist coordinates care with your
primary-care physician. Other health professionals such as physical therapists,
occupational therapists, nurses, psychologist, orthopedic surgeons, social workers
and dietitians often play important roles in helping your to manage your RA.
WHAT
MEDIATIONS ARE USED?
Medications used to treat RA can be divided into
two groups: those with the potential to help relieve your symptoms and those with
the potential to modify the disease. Your physician may recommend using two or
more medications at a time. Each medication has a distinct purpose in the treatment
of RA. Some of these medications affect the immune system or have other side effects,
making careful monitoring very important during your treatment. Talk to your doctor
about dosing and side effects and if you have any questions about your medications.
SYMPTOMATIC
MEDIATIONS
The following medications may relieve the symptoms associated
with RA.
-
NSAIDs, Aspirin, and Tylenol
- Analgesics
- Corticosteroids
DISEASE-MODIFYING
MEDICATIONS
Drugs that both relieve symptoms and have the potential to
modify the disease process of RA are called disease-modifying antirheu-matic drugs
(DMARDs). As the foundation of all successful approaches to managing RA, DMARDs
are an important part of the treatment plan for almost all people with RA. Starting
them early is the key to long-term success. These drugs help control RA and prevent
deformity and disability.
-
Methotrexate
- Hydroxychloroquine
-
Sulfasalazine
-
Leflunomide
-
Azathioprine
-
Cyclosporine
-
Minocycline
BIOLOGIC RESPONSE MODIFIERS:
Biologic
response modifiers, target specific chemicals in the immune system involved in
RA.
There are
several modifiers listed below:
- Enbrel
- Humira
- Remicade
- Orencia
- Rituxan
- Kineret
Newer
biological response modifiers are being developed every day.
