One of the most talked about treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs. Studies show these medications can actually halt the underlying processes that cause rheumatoid arthritis by altering how the immune system functions.
In clinical trials, investigators have shown that patients have better clinical outcomes when the disease is diagnosed early and aggressive DMARD therapy is started immediately. The success with these drugs stems from the fact that they do more than just treat the symptoms of arthritis; DMARDs can also slow down or stop joint and tissue damage. It has even been suggested that a brief delay in the initiation of DMARD therapy can lead to more rapid joint destruction and loss of function over time.
However, it is important to note that DMARDs take time to work on the overall disease process, and their results may not be felt or seen for weeks or even months. For this reason, DMARDs typically are used with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a corticosteroid, which works on the inflammation, pain and swelling, and offers patients more immediate relief.
What are DMARDs?
Many types of drugs are classified as DMARDs. Some of these medications are traditionally used to treat other conditions, such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, or to reduce the risk of rejection of a transplanted organ. When they are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the doses are significantly lower an...
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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