Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, predominantly affecting the joints, skin, vessels, and the lungs. Non-steroidal analgesics such as ibuprofen and corticosteroids play a role in alleviating symptoms but should only be used as a bridge until disease modifying anti-rheumatic agents (DMARDs) start showing effect. A combination of DMARDs, such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine or leflunomide, is effective in inducing and maintaining remissions. Biologics can be used as single agents in inducing remission. They are classified as TNF-alpha inhibitors or non TNF-alpha inhibitors (inhibit CD-20 in B lymphocytes, JAK-STAT pathway, IL-6 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Bibliography
American College of Rheumatology (n.d.) Sulfasalazine (azulfidine) [Internet]. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Sulfasalazine-Azulfidine. Accessed 20 Aug 2019
Box SA, Pullar T (1997) Sulphasalazine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 36(3):382–386
Rainsford KD, Parke AL, Clifford-Rashotte M, Kean WF (2015) Therapy and pharmacological properties of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases. Inflammopharmacology 23(5):231–269
Satoskar RS, Rege NN, Bhandarkar SD (2013) Pharmacotherapy of gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In: Pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics, 23rd edn. Mumbai, Popular Prakashan, pp 1043–1055
Sharma TS, Wasko MC, Tang X, Vedamurthy D, Yan X, Cote J et al (2016) Hydroxychloroquine use is associated with decreased incident cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Am Heart Assoc 5(1):e002867
Singh JA, Saag KG, Bridges SL Jr, Akl EA, Bannuru RR, Sullivan MC et al (2016) 2015 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthr Rheumatol 68(1):1–26
Smith HR, Brown A (n.d.) Rheumatoid arthritis [Internet]. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331715-overview. Accessed 20 Aug 2019
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shah, N.J. (2021). Drug Used in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Paul, A., Anandabaskar, N., Mathaiyan, J., Raj, G.M. (eds) Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6009-9_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6009-9_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-33-6008-2
Online ISBN: 978-981-33-6009-9
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)