Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes inflammation of the joints and damage to the cartilage that facilitates the joint movements.
Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic form of arthritis leading to severe inflammation in and around the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common amongst the types of arthritis and is caused due to the degeneration of the joints and the cartilage. The arthritis treatments are aimed at reducing inflammation and arrest the degeneration of the joints.
Drugs for Arthritis:
The drugs are categorized as per the type of treatment approach and the disease addressed by it:
Biological Response Modifiers: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of the adverse immune response that releases tumor necrosis factor (TNF) protein during an immune attack. Overproduction and release of this protein causes severe inflammation of the joints. This category of drugs is effective in modifying the response and blocks the proteins during immune response, which can cause inflammation.
- Kineret (Anakinra): It is approved by FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis and may be taken individually or in conjunction with other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications. This drug inhibits the inflammation in the joints through blocking interleukin-1 (IL-1) protein.
- Dosage: As prescribed by a doctor or a health care provider, number of subcutaneous injections of this drug on a daily basis.
- Usual side effects: Redness or swelling at the injection-site
- Remicade (Infliximab): It has received FDA approval to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but not to be administered in pregnant women. Also, it is recommended to be taken with methotrexate.
- Dosage: Regular intravenous injections at the health care providers clinic with 8 week interval.
- Usual side effects: Infusion reactions
- Enbrel (etanercept): Drug received FDA approval with an exception of the people suffering from active infections or who are vulnerable to new infections with enbrel administration. Also, the drug is not advisable for pregnant women.
- Dosage: Subcutaneous injections, twice a week
- Usual side effects: Itching, swelling in the injection-site
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMRADs): Rheumatoid Arthritis
These drugs help to combat arthritis and its pain and swelling to manage the daily activities and help in slowing the degeneration of the joints.
- Arava (Leflunomide): Drug received FDA approval but not safe to be administered in pregnant women.
- Dosage: One oral dose daily
- Usual side effects: Rashes, hair loss
Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
These drugs use Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors to block an enzyme, COX-2 that is responsible to trigger inflammatory immune response.
- Celebrex (Celecoxib): FDA approved drug
- Dosage: As prescribed by the physician one or two oral dose daily
- Usual side effects: Diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Vioxx (Rofecoxib): FDA approved drug
- Dosage: One oral dose daily
- Usual side effects: Indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, insomnia
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease and is characterized by chronic inflammation of one or more joints in the body. Research work is going on to search a promising treatment with least side effects. The treatments are directed towards slowing the degeneration of the joints, while offering minimal side effects and a better quality of life.
