Arthritis drugs & medication

Different types of arthritis are treated with different drugs. Arthritis drugs and medications are given to improve the symptoms and, where possible, to slow or halt the progress of the condition. Depending on your type of arthritis your doctor may need to give you a combination of one or more specific drugs to deal with the disease itself, as well as more general drugs to help you with the pain, stiffness or inflammation that are the symptoms.

There are four main groups of drugs used to treat arthritis:

  • Painkillers (analgesics) - These reduce pain. They are used for many different types of arthritis and are often used together with other drugs.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - These reduce inflammation of the joint as well as pain. They are used for many different types of arthritis, often along with other drugs.
  • Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) - This group of drugs is used mainly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but also in some other rheumatic diseases. They reduce pain, swelling and stiffness.
  • Corticosteroids (steroids) - These drugs are very effective in controlling inflammation.

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Examples of drugs used to treat arthritis

Examples of drugs used to treat arthritis

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Important points to remember about drug treatment of arthritis

  • You may be on more than one drug for your arthritis. This is because different drugs work in different ways. A common combination is an analgesic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
  • If one drug does not work this does not mean that you will not respond to another. Similarly, if you develop side-effects with one drug this does not mean that you will develop the same problems with another drug.
  • Some drugs, including several used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, do not work immediately. Some can take several months to produce improvement.
  • While most drugs are taken by mouth (orally) some are given by suppository or by injection. For example, gold is usually given by injection into a muscle (intramuscular injection), etanercept is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection), and infliximab is given as a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion).
  • Some drugs are started at a low dose which is gradually increased (e.g. methotrexate). Other drugs are started at a higher dose and depending on how you respond to the drug the dose may be reduced (e.g. gold injections).

General points to remember about all drugs

  • Keep a list of all the drugs you take (including those bought over the counter) so that you can tell your doctor.
  • Follow the instructions that your doctor or pharmacist gives you about taking your treatment. For example, anti-inflammatory tablets should be taken with or after food. If the instructions are not clear, ask for an explanation.
  • If after starting a drug for arthritis you experience any side-effects, tell your doctor or rheumatology nurse specialist.
  • Do not take medicines that you can buy without prescription without first discussing this with your doctor. These medicines may not be safe for you. For example, some contain anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause problems or react with the drugs that your doctor prescribes. This includes complementary medicines, e.g. herbal remedies or nutritional supplements.
  • Never share your medicines with others. Your medicines may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
  • Keep medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Some drugs must not be taken together with alcohol. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
  • If you miss a dose, do not try to ‘catch up’ by taking extra tablets. If you are worried, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Drugs are only one aspect of the treatment of arthritis. Other helpful treatments include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and foot care (chiropody/podiatry).

And remember...

If you are in any doubt about your drug treatment for your arthritis, ask your doctor, rheumatology nurse or pharmacist for advice.

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