Medication is the foundation for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
The Four Non-biologic DMARDs
This article is second in the series on rheumatoid arthritis drugs. The four common DMARDs: methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, leflunomide.
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TNF inhibitors
Next line in the treatment of RA TNF inhibitors/TNF blockers are a group of biologic medicines that suppress the body’s response to TNF. TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) is a complex protein produced by the white blood cells in response to inflammatory events in the body. Those who have rheumatoid arthritis may be given a TNF…
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Targeted biologics for RA Part One Rituxan and Orencia
The following are targeted biologics approved for rheumatoid arthritis. Targeted means these drugs dampen a particular part of the body’s overactive inflammatory process. Rituxan Orencia Actemra Kevzara Kineret Some of the biologics will not work for you although they work for some other people. Some biologics work for a short time then stop working. Some…
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Biologics Actemra and Kevzara
RA biologics affecting your interleukin 6: Actemra and Kevzara.
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Behind the scenes of RA medication
RA medication work to depress the immune system in a variety of ways. The risk/reward determination is used with the development of RA drugs.
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Anakinra for RA
Anakinra is a biologic medication developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike the other RA biologics , it is injected daily.
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Prednisone and Medrol are Glucocorticoids.
Glucocorticoids are naturally produced by the body. For those with RA the body does not produce enough during inflammation. Synthetics, such as, Medrol and prednisone are prescribed.
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RA treatment is still lacking
Not long ago those with RA suffered in agony as their bodies became mutilated . We now have a variety of drugs to reduce those symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at what these drugs are doing.
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Rub it on, Ointments for RA
For centuries joint pain has been managed by rubbing in a variety of ointments. Here is information about ointments to help you choose one that will work for you.
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Plaquenil and the eye
I have a question about the drug, Plaquenil, AKA hydroxychloroquine. My interest stems from the book I am writing, Nurse Mary’s Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis. After reading several additional medical reports about Plaquenil, I realized I needed to look further and to expand its section in the medication chapter of my book. Another reason for…
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What ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 means to you
The drug data sheet is a resource to understand how effective RA biologics are.
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The drugstore pain relievers
Fundamentally we have four choices for pain relief on the drugstore shelf.
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JAK inhibitors
The first JAK inhibitor, Xeljanz (Tofacitinib), was approved for use by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis use in 2012. It was a breakthrough medication for RA as it was the first to offer a targeted drug in pill form
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