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Arthritis Medications...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format! Arthritis Medications: Their uses & side effects. ..
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How Biologics Work: Currently available biologic agents act as inhibitors of the cytokines IL-1 or TNF. Cytokines are messenger molecules made by many of the body's cells that act to excite other immune system cells. Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are made in large amounts in rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammation. In these diseases, TNF or IL-1 act to increase inflammation, similar to the effect of gasoline on a fire. However, in rheumatoid arthritis TNF or IL-1 acts to excite the inflamed joint. Hence, these cytokines amplify and worsen inflammation and joint damage. Biologic agents were made to specifically attach to TNF or IL-1 and inhibit or inactivate them. Table 1 compares the different biologic drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis.
NSAIDs NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. These drugs work by limiting the body's production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which are involved in causing pain and inflammation. For many arthritis-related diseases NSAIDs provide some symptomatic relief and therefore can be an important part of a treatment plan.
Nabumetone DMARD Disease-Modifying AntiRheumatic Drugs, have the potential to control inflammation and limit joint damage.
These drugs are often referred to as "super aspirins." These drugs were developed principally to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. The studies have clearly shown they in fact do result in fewer GI side effects, but have not shown that these drugs actually relieve pain more effectively than other medications. However, patients respond quite differently to this treatment and for some, the Cox-2 drugs relieve their pain more effectively than any drugs they have tried. Other Arthritis Medications: Acetaminophen, helps ease the pain of arthritis if inflammation is not the problem. Anti Inflammatory Drugs: While anti inflammatory drugs may be helpful for many patients, they are not a panacea and are also capable of causing many potential side effects. They should only be used with the advice of a knowledgeable physician. Anti-inflammatory drugs act by blocking the effects of prostaglandins. This effect is a two-edged sword. Blocking inflammation is one edge; potential side-effects are the other. Anti Inflammatory Drugs Side Effects
Glucocorticoids: or anti-inflammatory steroids are among the most potent inhibitors of inflammation. When used properly they are helpful. Anti malarials: used to treat malaria long before they were used to treat arthrits, drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are a mainstay of treatment for milder forms of inflammatory arthritis.
Azathioprine: is another drug that blocks the metabolism of cells and is used as a disease-modifying agent in severe forms of inflammatory arthritis. Leflunomide: is another anti-metabolite used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. While effective, it has been supplanted, for the most part, by the use of biologic therapy. Cyclosporine: is a disease modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis that was "borrowed" from the organ transplant surgeons. Genrally used in combination with methotrexate, its effectiveness is sometimes limited by its toxicity. Gold: Gold treatment includes different forms of gold salts used to treat arthritis. Gold is an effective medicine for controlling some types of arthritis and related diseases. In some people, it helps relieve joint pain and stiffness, reduce swelling and bone damage, and reduce the chance of joint deformity and disability, it helps to keep the disease under control. Prednisone: Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels. Prednisone is also used to treat other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels. These conditions include certain types of arthritis; severe allergic reactions; multiple sclerosis; lupus; and certain conditions that affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines. Prednisone is also sometimes used to treat the symptoms of certain types of cancer. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works. Sulfasalazine:The drug sulfasalazine is a 5-ASA compound, and is the combination of two substances: sulfapyridine and an aspirin-like compound. It works to reduce the inflammation in the colon caused by ulcerative colitis and then as a maintenance therapy to maintain remission. Sulfasalazine may also be used to treat Crohn's disease in some cases. Cyclosporine: is a potent immunosuppressant medication that is considered a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) because it not only decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis but it may also prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long term disability. Hydroxychloroquine: belongs to the family of medicines called antiprotozoals. Protozoa are tiny, one-celled animals. Some are parasites that can cause many different kinds of infections in the body. This medicine is used to prevent and to treat malaria and to treat some conditions such as liver disease caused by protozoa. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis to help relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain and to help control the symptoms of lupus erythematosus. Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects Cyclophosphamide: Cytotoxic drugs, such as methotrexate, Cytoxan, and Imuran are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and some other rheumatic diseases. There are potentially serious side effects associated with these drugs, but methotrexate appears to have the best safety profile.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ARTHRITIS MEDICATIONS
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