DMARDs vs Biologics: Different Treatments for RA
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SPEAKER: In the last few decades, doctors have made significant progress treating RA.
That's mostly due to two types of prescriptions, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs and biologics.
Conventional DMARDs including pills like methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, suppress your immune system overall.
Biologics by contrast, target specific components of your immune system. These drugs which you receive by injection or infusion can block or inhibit white blood cells, inflammatory cytokines, and other proteins.
There are side effects to DMARDs and biologics. By suppressing your immune system, they can increase your risk of infection.
People who take DMARDs should also monitor their red blood cell count and the health of their liver.
Despite their differences, many people try both treatments.
Your doctor will likely start you on a DMARD and move to a biologic if it doesn't work.
Navigating so many options can be tricky but it means you're more likely to find the medication that's right for you.
That's mostly due to two types of prescriptions, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs and biologics.
Conventional DMARDs including pills like methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, suppress your immune system overall.
Biologics by contrast, target specific components of your immune system. These drugs which you receive by injection or infusion can block or inhibit white blood cells, inflammatory cytokines, and other proteins.
There are side effects to DMARDs and biologics. By suppressing your immune system, they can increase your risk of infection.
People who take DMARDs should also monitor their red blood cell count and the health of their liver.
Despite their differences, many people try both treatments.
Your doctor will likely start you on a DMARD and move to a biologic if it doesn't work.
Navigating so many options can be tricky but it means you're more likely to find the medication that's right for you.
