arthritis cure Drugs to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Drugs to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis


Definition
Causes
Symptoms
drugs
Definition

A rheumatoid arthritis is defined as a chronic and disabling inflammatory process, the cause of which seems to go back to an alteration of the immune system; patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis complain of pain, heat and stiffness in the joints. In most cases, the disease degenerates symmetrically, thus affecting the same joint tissues, tendons and muscles in the two sides of the body.
Causes

The precise cause involved in the manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown even if, in all probability, the disease is closely related to an alteration of the immune system. It is observed that rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself to a greater extent among women, especially those aged between 40 and 60; however, young people can also be affected.
Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for pain, warmth and stiffness in the joints which, over time, tend to deform and become damaged. When the tissue that lines the joint becomes thicker, rheumatoid arthritis also involves ligaments, cartilages and bones. Other symptoms include: general fatigue, depression, difficulty of falling asleep, weight loss, low-grade fever, progressive loss of mobility.

Information on Arthritis - Drugs for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis are not intended to replace the direct relationship between the health professional and the patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs.
drugs

To date, unfortunately, there is no universally recognized pharmacological treatment to effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis; nonetheless, the drugs and some non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies (physiotherapy) can control the symptoms and relieve their pain. In severe cases, surgery may be the last therapeutic option, in a desperate attempt to correct joint damage; some patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis require joint replacement.

The cardinal objective of rheumatoid arthritis is not simply represented by the control of symptoms, but also and above all by the reduction of pathological progression, in order to avoid damage to the joints.

Generally, as long as the disease is not established but only presumed, the affected patient may take NSAIDs or corticosteroids, useful for controlling pain; if the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient can take specific (anti-rheumatic) drugs, able to intervene directly in the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in therapy against rheumatoid arthritis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the active ingredient and dosage most suitable for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the health status of the patient and his response to treatment:

NSAIDs: although capable of masking pain and blunting, long-term administration of NSAIDs can lead to more or less severe side effects, such as stomach ache, kidney disease, ulcers, traces of blood in the stool, hypersensitivity reactions.

    Acetylsalicylic acid (eg Aspirin, Vivin, Ac Acet, Carin): in general, the dosage required to treat rheumatoid arthritis is 3 grams a day, divided into several doses. The dosage may possibly be changed by the doctor.


Ibuprofen (eg Brufen, Moment, Subitene): start therapy for rheumatoid arthritis taking 400-800 mg of drug every day, every 6-8 hours. The maintenance dose can be increased up to a maximum of 3200 mg / day.
    Naproxen (eg Aleve, Naprosyn, Prexan, Naprius): approximately, to control pain in the context of rheumatoid arthritis, take 250-500 mg of naproxen or 275-550 mg of naproxen sodium by mouth, twice a day . For the maintenance dose, it is possible to increase the dosage up to 1500 mg of naproxen or 1650 mg of naproxen sodium, divided into two doses, for a period of six months.
    Diclofenac (eg Fastum Painkiller, Dicloreum): in the form of tablets, take 50 mg of medication, 3-4 times a day or 75 mg, orally, twice a day. For slow-release tablets, take 100 mg orally. A dose greater than 225 mg per day is not recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
    Celecoxib (eg Aleve, Naprosyn, Onsenal, Prexan, Naprius): more recent NSAID. While offering the same beneficial therapeutic effects as the above NSAIDs, this active appears to avoid the risk of ulcers. Take one dose of 100-200 mg daily, orally.

Corticosteroids: Long-term administration of corticosteroids to treat pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis may result in thinning of the bones, bruising, weight gain, cataracts, diabetes, hypertension, swelling of the face. Do not suddenly stop the treatment with corticosteroids. Consult your doctor.

    Prednisone (eg, Solprene, Deltamhydrin): approximately 5-60 mg daily active ingredient, divided into 1-4 daily doses. It has been observed that the administration of 7.5 mg of drug a day can slow down the rate of joint damage that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis. Prolong the therapy for 2-4 years; in addition to this period, dosage is recommended to avoid long-term secondary effects.
    Dexamethasone (eg Soldesam, Decadron): the dose must be established by the physician after accurate diagnosis of the patient.

Opioid analgesics: indicated for moderate to severe treatment and resistant to other painkillers. Consult your doctor.

    Hydrocodone (eg Vicodin, not sales in Italy): often formulated in association with NSAIDs (eg Ibuprofen), it is recommended to take 1 tablet every 4-6 hours, as needed. Consult your doctor.

Antiarthritics and immunomodulators: block the degeneration of the disease, through a stimulation of the immune system.

    Penicillamine (eg Sufortan): initiate therapy with a single dose of 125-250 mg of medication per day, increasing the dosage, at 1-3-month intervals, of 125-250 mg per day. The maintenance dose should be personalized and can be modulated during therapy. Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis benefit from a dose of 500-750 mg per day.
    Hydroxychloroquine (eg Plaquenil): the antimalarial drug is indicated for the treatment of mild rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the early stages, as well as being widely used in therapy for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Start treatment with 400-600 mg of active, taken orally once a day. The maintenance dose involves taking 200-400 mg of medication once a day.
    Chloroquine (eg Chloroquine, Cloroc FOS FN): Chlorochine, like the previous drug, is also used in the treatment of inflammation in the context of moderate rheumatoid arthritis (even if used less frequently because it is tolerated less), and in treatment of lupus erythematosus. For the dosage, consult your doctor.
    Methotrexate (eg Reumaflex, Methotrexate HSP, Securact): the drug is an antagonist of the synthesis of folic acid, able to heavily influence the body's immune response. In this regard, it is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The active ingredient is widely used for this purpose because it is well tolerated. Orally, take 7.5 mg of active per week; gradually increase the dosage up to 15 mg, to be taken once a week. For the severe and acute form of rheumatoid arthritis, take 7.5 mg of active per week, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously.

Sulfasalazine (eg Salazopyrin): anti-inflammatory drug-immunomodulatormarginely used in therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, as well tolerated. It is recommended to take the drug orally, in the form of gastroresistant tablets: initially, take 500 mg of medication, 2 times a day; subsequently increase the dosage of 500 mg per week. Do not exceed 2-3 grams of medication a day.
    Leflunomide (eg Leflunomide medac, Arava, Leflunomide Teva, Leflunomide Winthrop, Repso): this is an immunomodulatory drug widely used in therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. As an indication, take 100 mg of the medicine, once a day, for 3 days. Next, take 10-20 mg of active per day.
    Azathioprine (eg Azathioprine, Immunoprin, Azafor): the drug belongs to the class of immunomodulators; it is recommended to start therapy with an active dose of 1 mg / kg, either orally or intravenously, given in 1-2 doses. The dosage can be increased by 0.5 mg / kg per day, up to a maximum of 2.5 mg / kg per day. The maintenance dose should be reduced to avoid side effects and to reduce the risk of toxicity.

Biological drugs: they are inhibitors of the tumor necrosis factor alpha; their use is reserved exclusively for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, in which the use of classic antirheumatic drugs has not reported any benefits after 2 years of treatment. If treatment with biological drugs does not improve after 6 months, it is advisable to change the type of active ingredient.

    Adalimumab (eg Humira): it is recommended to inject subcutaneously a dose of 40 mg once every other week. Indicated for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis. Some patients are recommended to combine methotrexate with this drug, increasing the dose of 40 mg every other week.
    Infliximab (eg Remicade): Begin therapy by taking 3mg / kg of intravenous drug, at the first, second and sixth week; follow with a maintenance regimen of 3 mg / kg every 8 weeks. The dose can be increased up to 10 mg / kg. Often, the drug is administered in combination with methotrexate. The drug is indicated to treat moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis.