Causes, Symptoms & Cures For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Medications Used

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Options like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are available over-the-counter, while stronger NSAIDs must be prescribed by a physician. Corticosteroids like prednisone can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis while slowing joint damage. These medications are usually prescribed to relieve the most acute symptoms rather than used for long-term maintenance. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and rescues the joints and other affected tissues from being permanently damaged. Some of the most common DMARDs are tofacitinib, tocilizumab, sarilumab, rituximab, inflixibmab, golimumab, etanercept, certolizumab, baricitinib, anakinra, adalimumab, and abatacept. Biologic response modifiers are DMARDs that target portions of the immune system that cause the inflammation that leads to tissue and joint damage. Biologic DMARDs are usually paired with at least one non-biologic DMARD for maximum effect.

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