Rheumatoid Arthritis Medicine

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease which currently has no known cure. Most treatments and medicines used for Rheumatoid Arthritis are designed to help control and manage the overall symptoms caused by this disease. Some rheumatoid Arthritis medicines are designed to try and help limit joint damage caused by the disease though, and try to maintain mobility for a longer period of time.

There are two strategies employed with Rheumatoid Arthritis medicine. The first is to help reduce the inflammation, pain and stiffness caused in the joints of hands, fingers, elbows, feet and elsewhere on the body. The second part of Rheumatoid Arthritis medicine treatments though, attempts to slow down the degenerative effects of the disease.

Over time Rheumatoid Arthritis destroys the tissues and muscles of the body's joints, and this causes deformities as well as loss of movement and mobility. By slowing down this damage, patients are able to function normally for longer periods of time.

The severity of pain and stiffness experienced by Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer's does not usually indicate the extent of the disease or damage though, so early detection is a high priority. Sometimes even a few months can make a difference with how slow or fast the joint damage occurs.

There are several Rheumatoid Arthritis medicines that are designed to help reduce or relieve pain, inflammation and swelling. Some of these are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and include Aspirin, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, and Ibuprofen. These Rheumatoid Arthritis medicines work by reducing the inflammation in the joints, which helps reduce the pain and swelling caused by RA.

Usually prescription versions of these NSAIDs are used instead of the over the counter versions, because the prescriptions are much stronger. Everyone responds to medicines differently though, and there are several side effects that come with these. Common side effects of NSAIDs include upset stomach, ulcers, stomach or gastrointestinal bleeding, and abdominal pain. There are also risks of kidney and liver failure or damage.

Another type of medicine used for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis is known as corticosteroids. These are much stronger than NSAIDs and they also reduce inflammation while helping to improve the function and mobility of the joints affected. These medicines are often injected with a needle, and are often only used for short periods when RA flare ups are at their worst.

Corticosteroids can cause weight gain, thinning skin and bones, easy bruising, puffiness in the face, higher risks of infection, muscle degeneration, and large joint destruction.

The second type of Rheumatoid Arthritis medicines used are designed to try and slow down the destruction of joints. These medicines are known as Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and they tend to work at a slower rate than the first type of Rheumatoid Arthritis medicines. The speed at which these medicines work will vary from one person to another. In some cases results can be seen in weeks or months, while in others it can take years. Sometimes your doctor will need to try various combinations of medicines for your Rheumatoid Arthritis, before finding the best combination for your specific needs.