Arthritis Drugs

 Some of the  many drugs used to treat arthritis and their possible side effects.

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Adalimumab which is an anti TNF drug. People with rheumatoid arthritis have a protein called TNF in excessive amounts in both blood and joints, this increases the inflammation in the joint, and Adalimumab reduces the inflammation.Side effects:Adalimumab has effects on the immune system ,and therefore may make you more likely to develop infections.Since it is only a new drug, it's long term effects have not been recorded.

Anakinra (trade name Kineret) is a drug which blocks the action of a protein called interleukin-1 (IL-1). In people with rheumatoid arthritis IL-1 is present in the joints and blood in excessive amounts, where it increases inflammation and causes joint damage. By blocking the action of IL-1 anakinra can reduce inflammation and joint damage, and can therefore help people with active rheumatoid arthritis. Side effects:Anakinra reduces the activity of the immune system, and can lower the white blood count (that is, reduce the number of white blood cells). This means that anakinra can make you more likely to develop infections.Because this drug is only new, it's long term effects have not been recorded.

Azathioprine is used in the treatment of several different types of rheumatic disease, including It can take 6 to 12 weeks before relief is felt.Side effects:Azathioprine has effects on the immune system ,one of its actions is to reduce the activity of the immune system. Sometimes azathioprine can cause sickness, diarrhoea, skin rashes, loss of appetite or hair loss.  azathioprine can make you more likely to develop infections.

Ciclosporin is used for rheumatoid arthritis to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness. It is also used for a number of other conditions, including psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Two possible side-effects of ciclosporin are a rise in blood pressure and effects on the kidneys.In some people ciclosporin can cause sickness (nausea), diarrhoea, gum overgrowth, tiredness, excess hair growth, and increased levels of lipids (e.g. cholesterol) in the blood. It can also produce a mild tremor. Sometimes a burning sensation of the hands and feet occurs early in treatment. Ciclosporin can also affect the liver, but this seems to occur only with doses much higher than those used for arthritis.

Cyclophosphamide is sometimes used for rheumatoid arthritis.One  of the actions of this drug is to reduce the activity of the immune system.Possible side effects:Inflammation and bleeding of the bladder wall, the patient may be more prone to certain types of cancer, fewer blood cells are made, increases susceptibility  to infections, bruising, bleeding,loss of hair, mouth ulcers, and irregular menstrual bleeding.

Etanercept (trade name Enbrel) is a type of drug known as anti-TNF. In people with rheumatoid arthritis a protein called TNF is present in the blood and joints in excessive amounts, where it increases inflammation. Anti-TNF drugs block the action of TNF and so can reduce inflammation. In this way they can help people with active rheumatoid arthritis.Possible side effects:Etanercept may cause a blocked or runny nose, headache, dizziness, rash, abdominal pain or indigestion. Etanercept can sometimes affect the blood count (the number of blood cells present in your blood) and can make you more likely to develop infections.Because it is a fairly new drug, it's long term effect have not been recorded. 

Sodium Aurothiomalate.( Myocrisin).Possible side effects:Gold can cause problems with the blood, kidneys or skin,  rash, mouth ulcers, altered taste, sore throat, fever, bruising, bleeding, or breathlessness.

Hydroxychloroquine is effective for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It can reduce inflammation and so reduce pain, swelling and stiffness of joints and improve the rash of SLE.Possible side effects:They are uncommon, a few people develop skin rashes, indigestion, diarrhoea, headaches or blurred vision. Very rarely hydroxychloroquine may damage the retina .

Infliximab ( Remicade) is an  anti-TNFdrug . People with rheumatoid arthritis have a protein called TNF present in the blood and joints in excessive amounts, where it increases inflammation. Anti-TNF drugs block the action of TNF and so can reduce inflammation. Possible side effects:Infliximab may cause a blocked or runny nose, headache, dizziness, flushing, rash, abdominal pain or indigestion.In some people taking infliximab, the body may fail to produce enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help you to stop bleeding.  Very rarely, people taking infliximab develop a condition called 'drug-induced lupus', which is usually mild. The symptoms are a rash, fever and increased joint pain.

Leflunomide ( Arava) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis where the body's immune system  attacks its own tissues. It is a 'disease-modifying' drug which, by its action on the immune system, can reduce the inflammation that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.It may take up to 12 weeks before a positive effect is felt, and up to six months before full benefit is noted.Possible side-effects of leflunomide are a feeling of sickness, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, weight loss, abdominal (stomach) pain, headache, dizziness, weakness, skin dryness and hair loss. It may cause a slight rise in your blood pressure.Leflunomide may cause mild allergic symptoms including rash and itching. Rarely, more severe allergic reactions and skin conditions can develop.  Leflunomide can also affect the blood count (one of the effects is that fewer blood cells are made) and it can make you more likely to develop infections.Leflunomide may affect the liver, this may cause problems ranging from abnormalities in the blood tests without causing ill health to severe liver damage which may be fatal.

Methotrexate is used to treat several different types of rheumatic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Methotrexate can reduce inflammation and also can affect the immune system (the body's own defence system). One of it's activities is to reduce the activity of the immune system.Possible side effects:Methotrexate can cause a feeling of sickness, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, hair loss and skin rashes.It can affect the blood count (one of the effects is that fewer blood cells are made) and can make you more likely to develop infections. Rarely, methotrexate causes inflammation of the lung with breathlessness.

Penicillamine can reduce the swelling and stiffness in your joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis and so decrease pain. Occasionally penicillamine is used in the treatment of other rheumatic diseases.It may take up top 12 weeks before benefit is felt.Possible side effects:Penicillamine can alter your sense of taste, but this side-effect usually goes away within a few weeks.More serious side-effects are those which affect the blood, kidney, skin and sometimes muscle.

 Sulfasalazine can reduce the symptoms and slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis. It may reduce the inflammation in your joints and decrease pain, swelling and stiffness.Possible side effects:The commonest side-effects are feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache and rashes. These side-effects usually occur during the first 3 months of treatment. Occasionally sulfasalazine can affect the blood count (which means fewer blood cells are made.

Read more:NSAIDs