There are a lot of prescription arthritis medications that doctors can prescribe to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Though none of these arthritis medications cure arthritis, they can relieve pain, relieve symptoms, and even slow down the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
What are NSAIDS?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) can alleviate inflammation and pain. These medications can be utilized as an arthritis medication and can be bought over the counter and in prescription form. The key negative side effect to these arthritis drugs is that they can lead to stomach problems, such as indigestion and bleeding. They may also raise someone’s blood pressure and sometimes cause fluid retention. COX-2 inhibitors are a class of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications that are less harmfull to the gut.
This type of arthritis medication works by suppressing an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase that’s involved in inflammation. However, potential side effects include fluid retention and high blood pressure. In addition, there are reports that people who take this type of drug may be at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Corticosteroids
These are arthritis medications that may decrease pain and inflammation. They can also slow down the damage to joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. In actuality, many patients who take corticosteroids report that they feel remarkably better. However, after prolonged use, the efficacy of corticosteroids may wear off. Prolonged usage also brings with it the chance of serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and thinning of the bones. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. Immunosuppressants are often prescribed as an arthritis medicine to help control the immune system.
In Arthritis patients, the immune system isn’t balanced and it’s out of control. TNF blockers are sometimes given in combination with an immunosuppressant. TNF blockers block the protein that inflames the joints. Those on TNF blockers report reduced pain and less stiffness.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis makes it possible for patients to be given arthritis medications called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These medications are known to slow down the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, if the arthritis is caught early, much damage to the joints can be prevented. Seeing a doctor at the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis is vitally important. Although modern medicine hasn’t been able to locate a cure for arthritis, we’re much closer to successful pain relief and the ability to slow down the development rate of rheumatoid arthritis.