Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
This group of drugs includes gold, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate
and sulfasalazine.
They are used mainly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
but also in some other rheumatic diseases. They reduce pain,
swelling and stiffness. They do not work at once but may take
several weeks to work. If you do not do well on one of these drugs,
or if you develop any side-effects, then your doctor may try one of
the others.
Immunosuppressant drugs
Another group of disease-modifying drugs are immunosuppressant
drugs. They are termed ‘immunosuppressant’ because they suppress
the immune system (the body’s own defence system).
They include azathioprine, ciclosporin,
cyclophosphamide, leflunomide
and mycophenolate. Methotrexate also has effects on
the immune system. Because these drugs affect the immune system
they may produce side-effects, and so need careful monitoring.
Immunosuppressant drugs are often used to treat cancer but you can
be reassured that your arthritis has nothing to do with this
disease, and when used for arthritis lower doses of the drugs are
administered.
Biologicals
A newer group of drugs are the so-called ‘biologicals’. These
include the anti-TNF drugs (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept and
infliximab), rituximab and tocilizumab.
These drugs can reduce joint inflammation in people with
rheumatoid arthritis and may also be used in some other
inflammatory diseases. These drugs are currently only being used in
people who have not responded to other disease-modifying drugs.
Reminder
Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children.
We have made every effort to ensure that this content is correct at time of publication, but remember that information about drugs may change.
This information is for general education only and does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with these drugs.
For full details please see the drug information leaflet that comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects that may be relevant in your particular case.