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The range of RA treatments

With rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affecting approximately 1% of the US population, there are ongoing efforts by the medical community to understand the cause of this autoimmune disorder and develop additional treatments.

RA affects people differently, so treatment should be individualized to suit your specific needs. To do this, you may want to have a discussion with your health care professional about your symptoms, other illnesses you may have, and your lifestyle. This will help you both determine what kinds of therapy might work best for you. And because RA is a chronic disease that requires life-long therapy and management, it's important to check in with your doctor regularly about your treatment.

Medications used specifically for RA focus on one or more of the following: relieving pain, reducing inflammation, limiting joint damage, and improving your overall function and well-being. It's possible that you have already been prescribed one or more of these drugs to control your symptoms related to RA. However, the more you know about the complete range of treatment options, the greater control you can have over your health. And keep in mind, there may be new treatments being introduced that you should be aware of and understand.

RA is a serious disease so it's important that you receive the proper treatment from someone who specializes in your condition. Learn why a rheumatologist may be the most medically qualified professional to treat your RA.

When you were first diagnosed with RA, you were probably treated with over-the-counter drugs or prescription pain relievers—medicines that only treat the symptoms. If you're seeing a rheumatologist, however, you are possibly taking a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, or DMARD, an RA medicine that modifies the disease. These medicines reduce symptoms and help slow the progressive joint damage of RA.

In addition to the development of DMARDs, another category of RA medication has emerged. In the 1990s, medical scientists pioneered the development of medicines called biologic response modifiers, or biologics. Biologic medicines work on your immune system to help reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe RA and have changed the way many rheumatologists treat RA.

Understanding how RA medications work and how long they may take to provide relief is part of determining which medication is right for you. Given that everyone reacts differently to medication, it's important to be patient and realistic in your expectations. Although you may not see results right away, the medication you're taking could, in fact, be working. If you have any concerns about how well your medication is working, speak with your doctor. He or she may make adjustments based on your body's response.

All medicines have side effects. Because of the range of side effects associated with over-the-counter medications, NSAIDs, steroids, DMARDs and biologics, these drugs should be used cautiously and under the supervision of a health care provider.

Make sure your health care provider clearly communicates with you about the drug he or she has prescribed, why you will be taking it, what you can expect, and side effects to watch for.

Here's a list of things to keep in mind when you begin taking a new medication:

Medication tips

• Follow the directions on how and when to take your medicine
• Talk to your doctor about any other medical problems you may have
• Learn about your medication, its side effects, and how it interacts with other drugs
• Choose one pharmacy to fill your prescriptions

The information provided in this guide is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a tool for self-medication. Please talk with your health care professional about your condition and treatment options.