Arthritis Medicines Information

 

Arthritis Mediccation

Arthritic diseases are inflammatory or degenerative disorders that affect mainly the musculoskeletal system, i.e., the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bursae. The term “rheumatism” is used by the layman to lump together all the different, about 80 chronic and acute disorders, which involve the musculoskeletal system, and include rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, osteoarthritis, ankylosis spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, fibrositis, and myositis.

Artritis Medication Classification

The drugs used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases fall into the following categories

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Salicylates and non-salicylates.
2. Gold compounds: Gold sodium thiomalate.
3. Chelating agent: Penicillamine.
4. Antimalarials: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.
5. Adrenocorticosteroids and ACTH.
6. Immunosuppressant: Azathioprine, chlorambucil

Treating Artritis with Artritis Medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin is still an important agent in the medical management of rheumatoid arthritis. Many arthritis patients find it difficult to believe that this familiar over-the-counter pain reliever is the safest and usually the most effective drug for treating chronic joint disorders. The non-salicylates anti-inflammatory agents used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders include ibuprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen.

Gold compounds. Chrysotherapy, i.e., treatment with gold salts, sometimes suppresses the rheumatic process in patients.
Penicillamine. The chelating agent used in the treatment of Wilson’s disease, and heavy metal poisoning is also effective in rheumatoid arthritis. Penicillamine has a similar action to gold.

Antimalarials. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may be used in active rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythmatosus, and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Intra-articular steroid therapy. In inflammatory conditions of the joints, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroids are given by intra-articular injection to relieve pain, increase mobility, or reduce deformity in one or a few joints.

Corticotrophin (ACTH) has also sometimes been employed in rheumatoid arthritis.