Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in
joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic (ongoing) arthritis (resulting
in pain and swelling) that occurs generally in joints on both sides of the body
(such as hands, wrists, and knees). This symmetric multiple joint involvement
helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis.
In addition to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis may
occasionally affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves, or kidneys.
What are the goals of treating rheumatoid arthritis?
The most important short-term goal of treatment is to reduce
joint pain and swelling and to maintain and/or improve joint function.
The long-term goal of treatment is to slow or stop the disease
process, particularly joint damage, which can be seen on X-rays. Once joint
inflammation is controlled, pain will be reduced.
Normal joint
Joint affected by rheumatoid arthritis
Changing philosophy about drugs
In the past, many doctors did not believe that drugs for
rheumatoid arthritis changed the likelihood of eventual disability from the
disease. Therefore, drugs with the least side effects were prescribed to
decrease pain. Stronger drugs were avoided because of doctors’ concerns about
dangerous side effects.
Now, however, doctors know that early treatment with certain
drugs can improve the long-term outcome for most patients. Numerous drugs that
have proven to be effective are being used soon after the patient is diagnosed.
Combinations of drugs are proving to be more effective than a single drug
therapy and, in recent studies, have been found to be just as safe as single
drug treatment.
What drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
The drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into three groups:
- Drugs that decrease pain and inflammation. These products include
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Motrin),
naproxen (Aleve), and other similar products. Another type of drug – COX-2
inhibitors – also falls into this drug category, providing relief of the
signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Celecoxib (Celebrex), one COX-2
inhibitors, is available and used in the United States. The COX 2 inhibitors
were designed to have fewer side effects on the stomach.
- Drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Unlike
other NSAIDs, DMARDs actually can slow the disease process by modifying the
immune system. Older DMARDs include methotrexate, gold salts, penicillamine,
hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and
leflunomide. Many of these drugs were first used to treat other medical
conditions – such as malaria, transplant rejection, cancer, psoriasis,
inflammatory bowel disease – but have now also found a role in treating
rheumatoid arthritis. Gold salts and penicillamine are rarely prescribed by
physicians today. DMARDs are used both alone and in combination.
Methotrexate, for example, is often used as a major part of a combination
drug regimen, which includes low doses of corticosteroids (such as
prednisone or cortisone) as well as other drugs.
- Biologics. Beyond these more "traditional" DMARDs, a newer type of
DMARD to treat rheumatoid arthritis has come onto the marketplace.
Collectively, these DMARDs are known by another name – biologic agents (or
biologic response agents). Compared with the traditional DMARDs, these
products target the molecules that cause inflammation in rheumatoid
arthritis. To explain further, inflammatory cells in the joints are involved
in the development of rheumatoid arthritis itself. These biologic agents cut
down the inflammatory process that ultimately causes the joint damage seen
in rheumatoid arthritis. The older DMARDs work one step further out than the
biologics; they work by modifying the body’s own immune response to the
inflammation. By attacking the cells at a more specific level of the
inflammation itself, biologics are considered to be more effective and more
specifically targeted. The names of some of these biologic modifiers include
etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), anakinra
(Kinaret), abatacept (Orencia), rituxamab (Rituxan), certolizumab pegol
(Cimzia) and golimumab (Symponi). Some of the biologics are used in
combination with the traditional DMARDS, especially with methotrexate.
How well do the drugs work; are they dangerous?
All the drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis have been
tested and have been proven useful in patients who have the disease. However,
they all work on a different aspect of the inflammatory process seen in
rheumatoid arthritis and their use – as well as their side effects -- depends on
the current disease status of each patient and any associated medical problems
that a patient may have. The effectiveness and the risks of drugs are considered
when your rheumatologist plans your treatment.
If a drug is very effective in treating an illness but causes a
lot of side effects, it is not an ideal treatment for a long-term use. For
example, high doses (15 to 20 mg or more per day) of corticosteroids can make
people with rheumatoid arthritis feel dramatically better. However, high doses
of corticosteroids may cause serious side effects when taken over many months or years.
NSAIDs. All of the NSAIDs are similarly effective, making it
difficult for doctors to strongly recommend one over the other. These drugs can
cause irritation of stomach and cause kidney damage as side effects. Therefore
their use in people with severe stomach and kidney problems should be closely
supervised by doctors.
Cox-2 anti-inflammatory agents work by inhibiting a certain
enzyme in the body (cyclooxygenase 2, ie COX2), which in turn, reduces the
amount of bad prostaglandins. Thus, inflammation is reduced leaving the other
good prostaglandins alone that protect the stomach and kidneys. COX-2 inhibitors
are sometimes used in patients who cannot take ordinary NSAIDs – such as those
who are concerned about stomach ulcers and gastric irritation.
DMARDs. The "traditional" DMARDs work by a different
mechanism than NSAIDs and work well. For example, methotrexate is among the
drugs that are widely used and most effective in providing benefits for people
with rheumatoid arthritis. It is often referred to as the "cornerstone of
therapy" and is used alone or in combination with other drugs. However,
traditional DMARDs act slowly after starting the drug for several weeks.
Biologic agents. The biologic agents are newly developed
effective drugs. Biologic agents are more specifically targeted at the
inflammatory process seen in rheumatoid arthritis. This high specificity leads
to another big advantage of using the biologics. They tend to be better
tolerated and sometimes able to work faster than traditional DMARDs. However,
all of the biologic agents can have side effects and will need to be used under
the supervision of your rheumatologist.
How will my doctor choose drugs that are right for me?
Aspirin has been the mainstay of therapy early in the drug
development years. Next came the corticosteroids and DMARDs. Now we’re in the
era of biologic modifiers. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment
program. The drugs prescribed will match the seriousness of your condition.
Your doctor will combine the results of your medical history,
physical exam, X-rays and blood tests to create your treatment program. Your
doctor will also consider your age, sex, physical activity, other medications
you are taking, and the presence of other medical conditions.
It is important to meet with your physician regularly so he or
she can closely monitor you to detect the development of any side effects and
monitor your treatment if necessary. Your doctor may periodically order blood
tests or other tests to determine the effectiveness of your treatment and the
presence of any side effects.
For more information
The information provided above is designed to give you a general
overview. For more detailed information – including detailed drug information --
the following websites might be useful:
American College of Rheumatology
www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets
National Institutes of Health Medline Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
© Copyright 1995-2009 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 7/15/2009...#4750
