Examining Your Treatment Options

Medication is likely to play an important part in the treatment of your rheumatoid arthritis. This is a lifelong, chronic disease that will probably require you to try different approaches over time.

Keep in mind that your goals are fourfold:

• To improve your quality of life
• To prevent joint damage
• To improve joint functioning
• To reduce pain

The best strategy probably involves pursuing more than one form of treatment over time. But which medications you take for your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will depend on many factors: your treatment goals, the severity of your RA, your general health and what other medications you’ve tried in the past.

Rheumatologists agree that treating RA aggressively early on can lessen the potential for future damage.

RA medications generally fall into these four categories:

1. Analgesics: A starting point
These are simply painkillers, such as acetaminophen. Some are available by prescription only, while others can be bought over the counter (OTC).

2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
For stronger relief, medications such as ibuprofen and oxycodone fall into this category. They can treat pain and inflammation. Some are prescription-only; others are available OTC.

3. Corticosteroids: Your temporary fix
These prescription anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, such as prednisone, are sometimes used to bring flare-ups under control. Because these medications can have severe side effects (such as weight gain, muscle loss and mood swings), they usually are used only for short periods of time.

4. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Putting a stop to inflammation
These prescription medications work on the immune system to try to slow the course of the disease. A new class of these arthritis medications are biologic response modifiers. These are genetically engineered medications that reduce inflammation and structural damage to the joints by interrupting the cascade of events that drives inflammation. Essentially, they block or “inhibit” the activity of immune cells that are slowly destroying your joints.

Your doctor can help you understand what medications (or combination of medications) are right for you. Don’t give up hope! RA is a complicated disease. Your doctor may be able to suggest a new medication that works differently in your body.