Give DMARDs Time

DMARD Options

When you were diagnosed with RA, your doctor likely prescribed a DMARD for RA. Methotrexate is one of the most commonly used if you have moderate to severe symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe other DMARDs in addition to or instead of methotrexate. In some cases, combinations may work better than a single DMARD alone.

How DMARDs Work

DMARDs target RA's root cause -- an overactive immune system that attacks your body. DMARDs suppress your immune system and protect joints and tissue from damage. They can change RA's course, slowing or stopping the disease. That makes DMARDs distinct from many RA meds, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen, which just treat symptoms such as pain and swelling.

DMARDs also decrease pain and inflammation. Still, it's not uncommon for you to sometimes need another med to ease pain.

Prompt: How DMARDs work.

CTA: Target what causes RA.

Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms: loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling sick, symptoms worse in A.M., weakness, fever, lumps under skin, reduced joint movement, stiffness, stiffness after rest, anxiety, depression, deformed joint, stiff joint, swollen joint, warm joint, joint pain, muscle pain, pain, lower back pain, upper back pain, symmetrical pain, numbness, tingling, aching, burning, finger pain, elbow pain, knee pain, spinal pain, wrist pain, hand pain

Triggers:

Treatments:apremilast (Otezla), auranofin (Ridaura); azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); baricitinib (Olumiant), chlorambucil (Leukeran); cyclophosphamide (NeosarNeosar); cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune); hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); leflunomide (Arava); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Categories: meds

Combination Therapy

Often, the best approach to prevent long-term disability may not be just a DMARD. Many people take more than one DMARD. Others take a DMARD along with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a steroid, or a biologic. Biologics target specific substances in the body to help manage the out-of-control immune reaction. To learn more about biologics, browse Med Goals. Even triple combos of meds are common.

Infection Risk

DMARDs work by suppressing your immune system. That reduces the damage from RA, but it also increases your risk of infections. The risk varies from drug to drug. What's more, the benefits of DMARDs in stopping joint damage -- and improving your quality of life -- often outweigh the risks. Talk with your doctor. Ask for help putting the risks of DMARDs in perspective with their benefits specifically to you.

Prompt: Risk infection?

CTA: Compare to quality of life.

Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms: loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling sick, symptoms worse in A.M., weakness, fever, lumps under skin, reduced joint movement, stiffness, stiffness after rest, anxiety, depression, deformed joint, stiff joint, swollen joint, warm joint, joint pain, muscle pain, pain, lower back pain, upper back pain, symmetrical pain, numbness, tingling, aching, burning, finger pain, elbow pain, knee pain, spinal pain, wrist pain, hand pain

Triggers:

Treatments:apremilast (Otezla), auranofin (Ridaura); azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); baricitinib (Olumiant), chlorambucil (Leukeran); cyclophosphamide (NeosarNeosar); cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune); hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); leflunomide (Arava); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Categories: meds

Give DMARDs Time

If you started DMARD treatment within the last few weeks, you may be wondering, "Shouldn't I feel better by now?" A delayed effect is normal, however.

Unlike NSAIDs and steroids, DMARDs don't give immediate relief from pain and inflammation. With most, you need weeks -- or even months -- before you feel all the benefits. If several months have gone by and you still don't feel any better, talk with your doctor.

Get Checkups

When you take a DMARD, your doctor will want to do regular testing to ensure treatment isn't causing unseen problems -- and to test its benefits.

Ask your doctor how often you'll need checkups. Frequency depends on the meds. People taking methotrexate, for example, usually need testing every 4 to 12 weeks to check their blood counts and their kidney and liver functions. Tests to evaluate effectiveness may include inflammation level tests, X-rays, and assessment of your ability to function.

Prompt: Get regular check-ups.

Tip CTA: Test DMARD effectiveness.

Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms: loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling sick, symptoms worse in A.M., weakness, fever, lumps under skin, reduced joint movement, stiffness, stiffness after rest, anxiety, depression, deformed joint, stiff joint, swollen joint, warm joint, joint pain, muscle pain, pain, lower back pain, upper back pain, symmetrical pain, numbness, tingling, aching, burning, finger pain, elbow pain, knee pain, spinal pain, wrist pain, hand pain

Triggers:

Treatments:apremilast (Otezla), auranofin (Ridaura); azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); baricitinib (Olumiant), chlorambucil (Leukeran); cyclophosphamide (NeosarNeosar); cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune); hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); leflunomide (Arava); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Categories: meds

DMARDs and Vaccines

Because DMARDs increase your risk of infections, your doctor may recommend that you get some vaccines before you start taking a DMARD. Live vaccines are avoided when using biologics. You and your doctor need to make sure that your vaccines are up-to-date. Getting a pneumococcal vaccine and an annual flu vaccine are especially important. 

DMARDs and Alcohol

Methotrexate and other DMARDs can affect the liver. While you probably won't have serious problems, your doctor may suggest that you stop drinking alcohol completely when you first start a DMARD.

If your liver tests are OK at your checkups, you can ask your doctor if it's safe for you to have an occasional glass of alcohol.

Be sure to follow your doctor's suggestions. Drinking more than recommended could lead to liver damage.

Prompt: DMARDs and alcohol.

CTA: Is drinking safe?

Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms: loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling sick, symptoms worse in A.M., weakness, fever, lumps under skin, reduced joint movement, stiffness, stiffness after rest, anxiety, depression, deformed joint, stiff joint, swollen joint, warm joint, joint pain, muscle pain, pain, lower back pain, upper back pain, symmetrical pain, numbness, tingling, aching, burning, finger pain, elbow pain, knee pain, spinal pain, wrist pain, hand pain

Triggers:

Treatments:apremilast (Otezla), auranofin (Ridaura); azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); baricitinib (Olumiant), chlorambucil (Leukeran); cyclophosphamide (NeosarNeosar); cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune); hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); leflunomide (Arava); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Categories: meds