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How is rheumatoid arthritis treated by prescription?

Some prescription drugs treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, while others may alter the course of the disease in some people. Medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually the first choice for treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Prescription NSAIDs include ibuprofen (brand name Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn), nabumetone (>Relafen), diclofenac (Voltaren), and newer COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex). COX-2 inhibitors are thought to have fewer stomach-related side effects than other NSAIDs.

Corticosteroids such as prednisone, >sulfasalazine (Azulfadine), methotrexate (>Rheumatrex), hydroxychloroquine (>Plaquenil), and leflunomide (>Arava), are drugs that are used to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Etanercept (>Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) are newer injectable drugs that work by muffling the immune system's attack on the joints.Enbrel and Remicade are typically prescribed for patients who haven't responded to other treatments

All of these drugs may cause serious side effects and should only be used under the care of your doctor.

Sources:
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Micromedex Healthcare Series, Micromedex Inc., 2001.
Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. The Arthritis Foundation, 1997.
"Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis", Arthritis & Rheumatism 39 (1996).

This answer prepared 1/17/01.

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