Arthritis Drugs and Medications

For Arthritis sufferers, your drugs, remedies and medications help you achieve the most comfortable lifestyle, so you should keep up with information to make sure you're aware of about special instructions, possible side effects and new treatment options. Here we review information on which drugs are being used for which types of Arthritic conditions

Analgesics

Analgesics are designed purely for pain relief. They do not treat inflammation. The most commonly used analgesic, acetaminophen, is also the most widely available. Rheumatologists often recommend acetaminophen as the initial defence against arthritic pain, because its relatively safe, effective and also cheap.

Analgesics Opioid

When acetaminophen fails on severe pain, doctors occasionally prescribe products containing opioid analgesics, such as codeine or hydrocodone. Such products may also contain acetaminophen, such as oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet) or propoxyphene with acetaminophen (Darvocet). Longer-acting opioid analgesics come in pill forms, such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and as a skin patch an opioid in transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic).

Biologic Response Modifiers

Biologic agents inhibit proteins called cytokines, which contribute to inflammation, are expensive and must be infused intravenously or injected. They are used together with standard Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such asmethotrexate. Biologic Response Modifiers can actually stop disease progression and, in many cases, initiate a lasting remission. They often work for people where other therapies have failed. Studies show that two-thirds of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis respond favourably - some dramatically

Corticosteroids

Steroids, include some of the oldest, fastest and most effective and drugs for many forms of arthritis. Injections of corticosteroids directly into inflamed joints helps limit inflammation to affected joints. They must be used sparingly as they can do harm by causing brittle bones, cataracts and elevated blood sugar if they are taken in high doses or for long periods of time. Low doses prednisone may be sufficient for the joint inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis, whereas much higher doses could be needed to control lupus-related kidney inflammation. Many doctors keep dosages of corticosteroids low, by prescribing corticosteroids together with Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, which can also suppress the immune system, are most commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis. Some are also used for juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus. They are effective but take a long time to show results. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) may take three or four months before you notice a difference. Others, such as methotrexate, can work more quickly, however doctors often prescribe an additional drug such as a corticosteroid or a Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to help control pain and inflammation while the Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug starts to work.

Chlorambucil (Leukeran) or cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan) are Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs used mainly to treat severe organ disease, such as the kidney disease caused by lupus. Many Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs used in Arthitis treatment were originally developed for different areas of medicine. For example, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is a malaria drug, chlorambucil (Leukeran) and methotrexate are cancer medications and cyclosporine (Neoral) was originally developed avoid transplant rejections.

Fibromyalgia Drugs

Medications used for fibromyalgia are to designed relieve muscle aches, pain and fatigue. A wide range of medications and drugs are prescribed by doctors to treat Fibromyalgia conditions. These include the antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil); muscle relaxants such as cylobenzaprine (Cycloflex, Flexeril) and certain analgesics, including tramadol (Ultram).

Gout Drugs

Gout is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of arthritis. Gout medications are used to relieve acute pain and inflammation and reduce uric acid in the blood, to prevent recurrence. For long-term treatment, the most useful drugs are those that target the build-up of uric acid. Your prescription depends on whether your body produces too much uric acid or doesn't excrete uric acid properly. If your body produces too much uric acid, a drug called allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim) may slow uric acid production. If your body doesn't excrete uric acid well, Probenecid (Benemid, Probalan) can assist.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, work by blocking prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that contribute to pain, inflammation, fever and muscle cramps. They fall into three basic catgories - traditional, COX-2 inhibitors and salicylates.

Salicylates. Consult your doctor before taking Salicylates like aspirin for long periods. Frequent large doses, needed to control arthritis pain and inflammation can cause some serious side effects. Chemical variations referred to as a nonacetylated salicylate, which is specially formulated to have fewer side effects, could suit if aspirin is too risky for you. Nonacetylated salicylates lack aspirin's beneficial protection against cardiovascular disease.

COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors also help reduce pain and inflammation but are designed to be safer for the stomach. Studies to determine the incidence of side effects and safety continue for these.

Traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include versions like Voltaren that are available over the counter without prescription.

Osteoporosis Drugs

As well as estrogen, drug options for osteoporosis come under 4 categories: selective receptor molecules (raloxifene hydrochloride), bisphosphonates (alendronate and risedronate sodium), calcitonin, and now the bone formation agents (teriparatide). Osteoporosis drugs can slow bone loss, promote bone growth, ease pain reduce the risk of fractures.

Sjogren's Syndrome Drugs

Sjogren's syndrome, is an autoimmune condition, attacking the moisture-producing glands producing dry mucous membranes. It can occur alone or together with autoimmune conditions such as lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis.

medications,include Cevimeline(Evoxac)and Pilocarpine (Salagen) for dry mouth and Restasis for dry eys. also Special chewing gums, mouth sprays and rinses can help moisten the mouth and lessen discomfort. Eye drops can be used as needed and are available without prescription.