Medications
Although there is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis at the moment, people living with the disease can be treated with certain medications to help relieve the pain and suppress the flares. These medications can be classified into 3 groups;
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS): NSAIDS [4] are drugs designed to relieve pain and inflammation. They work by inhibiting the functions of prostaglandins [5]. They are usually the first type of drugs prescribed by physicians.
Examples of these drugs include; Ibuprofen and Naproxen. They can be gotten over the counter without a prescription although higher doses can be prescribed by a doctor in severe cases. Excessive use of these drugs may lead to side effects such as; gastrointestinal issues and allergic complications.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs are designed to decrease the progression of the disease and also decrease inflammation reactions. They can only be purchased with a prescription written by your doctor or specialist.
- JAK Inhibitors: They are classified as targeted synthetic DMARDs by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Doctors usually prescribe this kind of drug if DMARDs or Biologics are not effective in treating your RA. Examples of JAK inhibitors include; Upadacitinib and Tofacitinib.
Biologics are a special type of DMARD that is often prescribed when the conventional DMARDS seem to be ineffective in treating your symptoms. It can be administered via an injection or IV. It also works by inhibiting the immune responses that create inflammations.