Antirheumatic drugs
Complete list of drugs used to treat arthritis.
Author/s: Nancy Ross-Flanigan
Definition of Antirheumatic drugs
Medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Purpose of Antirheumatic drugs
Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling form of arthritis. Symptoms include stiff, swollen
joints, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In the early stages of treatment, the drugs
prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis are often the same as those used to treat the more
common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. These include aspirin, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and, sometimes, steroids. If the symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis do not improve with these medicines, stronger antirheumatic drugs, such as those
described here, may be tried. These stronger drugs may slow the progress of the disease,
as well as reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
Description
Antirheumatic drugs include hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which is also used to treat
malaria; penicillamine (Depen); azathioprine (Imuran); and methotrexate (Rheumatrex),
which is also used to treat some types of cancer.
Recommended dosage
Recommended dosage depends on the type of drug. Check with the physician who prescribed
the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for the correct dosage. Be sure to
take these drugs exactly as directed.
When taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, remember that it should be taken
only once or twice a week as prescribed, not every day. Taking it every day can
lead to a fatal overdose. Take methotrxate and all drugs in this class only as directed.
Precautions
The antirheumatic drugs azathioprine (Imuran) and methotrexate (Rheumatrex) are
powerful drugs that affect the immune system. They are used only in severe cases, when all
other treatments have failed. Antirheumatic drugs may have serious side effects, so it is
important to be monitored closely by a physician while taking any of these drugs.
Side effects
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) may cause vision problems. Anyone taking it should see
an ophthalmologist (a physician who specializes in treating eyes) for a thorough eye
examination every six months.
Methotrexate and penicillamine may cause birth defects. Women taking these drugs must
stop taking them during pregnancy and for several months before a planned pregnancy.
Methotrexate may also cause lung damage or fertility problems and should not be taken by
anyone with serious kidney or liver disease or by anyone who drinks alcohol.
Azathioprine may cause birth defects if either the man or woman is using it at the time
of conception. Anyone who uses this drug and is sexually active should consult with a
physician about an effective birth control method.
Other common side effects of antirheumatic drugs include abdominal cramps, diarrhea,
dizziness, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, and mouth
sores. A variety of other side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms while
taking antirheumatic drugs should get in touch with his or her physician.
Interactions
Antirheumatic drugs may interact with a variety of other medicines. When this happens,
the effects of one or both of the drugs may change, or the risk of side effects may be
greater. Anyone who takes this type of medicine should let the physician know all other
medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with antirheumatic drugs
are aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil), phenytoin (Dilantin), sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Gantrisin, tetracycline and
some other antibiotics and cimetidine (Tagamet). |
