| There is no shortage of rheumatoid arthritis treatments. | | | | salicylate (Trilasate®), diclofenac (Cataflam®, |
| A great many researchers are working on ways to | | | | Voltaren®, Arthrotec®), diflusinal (Dolobid®), |
| relieve the pain, disfigurement and discomfort of RA. | | | | etodolac (Lodine®), indomethicin (Indocin®), |
| But doctors say there is no cure! However, there is | | | | ketoprofen (Orudis®, Oruvail®), meloxicam |
| hope. | | | | (Mobic®), nabumetone (Relafen®), oxaprozin |
| In recent years, researchers have developed a | | | | (Daypro®), piroxicam (Feldene®), sulindac |
| number of treatments that make life easier for the RA | | | | (Clinoril®) and tolementin (Tolectin®). |
| patient. The goal is to provide as normal a life as | | | | Many patients prefer naproxen sodium since it can be |
| possible for the sufferer with the lowest level of | | | | taken once every 12 hours - rather than four times a |
| discomfort, disfigurement and interruption of a normal | | | | day as with some of the others. |
| life. | | | | NSAIDs provide quick but short-term help. |
| Until a cure is found, doctors find themselves minimizing | | | | DMARDs can take several weeks or months. Among |
| joint damage, disfigurement and pain while enhancing | | | | those most commonly used are abatacept |
| the patient's ability to engage in enjoy a quality lifestyle. | | | | (Orencia®), adalimumab (Humira®), anakinra |
| Doctors have also learned that it's far easier for the | | | | (Kineret®), antimalarials, azathioprine (Imuran), |
| patient if families and loved ones understand what is | | | | cyclophosphamide cyclosporin A, d-penicillamine, |
| happening - that is, the nature of RA. | | | | etanercept (Enbrel®), gold salts, infliximab |
| So, what can actually be done? Three classes of | | | | (Remicade®), leflunomide (Arava®), methotrexate, |
| drugs are usually utilized for rheumatoid arthritis | | | | rituximab (Rituxan®) and sulfasalazine. |
| treatments: | | | | Most are very effective in preventing cartilage |
| 1) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (or NSAIDs), | | | | damage and the bone erosions that can come as |
| 2) disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (or | | | | early as during the first two years of the disease. As |
| DMARDs) and. | | | | a result, many doctors prescribe a DMARD as soon |
| 3) corticosteroids. | | | | as RA is diagnosed. |
| The major benefit of NSAIDs is to relieve inflammation. | | | | But since DMARDs can be so slow acting, aspirin and |
| That decreases pain and improves function. However, | | | | other analgesics are also taken since they are so |
| NSAIDs alone can't change the course of the disease | | | | effective in decreasing pain - but not in stopping the |
| nor prevent destruction of the affected joints. | | | | disease's progression. |
| For years, aspirin was the primary treatment - and still | | | | So, NSAIDs are taken to ease discomfort, particularly |
| relieves pain quite effectively. However, it often | | | | until DMARDs take effect. |
| causes stomach discomfort and has to be taken | | | | Corticosteroids are the third category of drugs used |
| repeatedly during the day. Thus, many doctors have | | | | with RA. These are often prescribed for patients with |
| replaced it with other NSAIDs. | | | | severe cases who aren't responding to NSAIDs or |
| Fortunately, there are quite a few to choose from. | | | | DMARDs. However, there are side effects such as |
| Over-the-counter NSAIDs include naproxen sodium | | | | weight gain, puffiness around the face, redness of the |
| (such as Aleve®) and ibuprofen (such as Advil®, | | | | cheeks, and even such oddities as the development of |
| Motrin® and Nuprin®. | | | | a "buffalo hump" over the neck. |
| Prescription NSAIDs include choline magnesium | | | | |