TRADITIONAL THERAPY FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: DMARDs What is a DMARD?
Posted: under Arthritis.
DMARDs stands for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Most DMARDs take a long time to begin working. In addition, because these are such strong agents, you must be carefully monitored by your doctor while taking these drugs.
Some DMARDS that can be helpful to you.There are many DMARDs that are helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, including Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), Rheumatrex (methotrexate), Imuran (azathioprine), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Arava (leflunomide), and Azulfidine (sulfasalazine).
Aren’t some of these drugs used in chemotherapy for treating cancer?In some instances, these drugs are useful for the treatment of various cancers. They interfere with the division of cells and can be useful in treating tumors. In the treatment of arthritis, we are trying to accomplish the same thing—the obliteration of the cells responsible for the disease process.
What is hydroxychloroquine?Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat malaria. A brand name for this drug is Plaquenil.Hydroxychloroquine moderately useful in the treatment of RA.Exactly how it acts in the treatment of diseases like RA is not known. This drug is known to act as a mild suppressor of the immune response and gently even thins the blood in some studies.What is the usual dose?The standard dose of the drug is 200 milligrams twice a day. It becomes most effective about three to six weeks after you begin to take it.Hydroxychloroquine and a similar compound chloroquine are used for the treatment of diseases like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and anti-phospholipid syndrome.It is considered one of the safest DMARDs available. Serious adverse effects are rare.
What are some of the side effects?Occasionally, patients may experience visual problems including change in pigmentation of the retina of the eye or some loss of feeling of the cornea. An eye exam is recommended six months after starting the drug and every six months thereafter. Persistent nausea or an allergic reaction with itching and rash are also possible. All in all, this drug is quite safe and free of side effects.*32/141/5*
