Arthritis Information

Arthritis Information

Ever wonder how your doctor chooses which medicine to prescribe for condition? Here�s some valuable information on how your doctor chooses your medicine:

� The disease�s severity. If you have just a few joints that are mildly inflamed by a rheumatoid condition (RA), for example, your doctor may prescribe a relatively mild disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). If you have a active inflammatory condition, your doctor is more likely to prescribe a stronger DMARD, such as methotrexate, or one of the new biologic agents, etanercept (Enbrel) or infliximab (Remicade), which have the ability to slow or inhibit joint damage caused by aggressive RA.
� The specific symptoms your doctor is addressing. Different symptoms require different medications. For example, your doctor would prescribe one medication for a lupus skin rash and another for lupus-related kidney problems.

Arthritis Medicine

You may be on more than one medicine for your condition. This is because different medicines work in different ways. A common combination is an analgesic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

� If one medicine does not work this does not mean that you will not respond to another. Similarly if you develop side-effects with one medicine, this does not mean that you will develop the same problems with another medicine. � Some medicines, including several used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, do not work immediately. Some can take several months to produce improvement. � While most medicines are taken by mouth (orally) some are given by suppository or by injection. For example, gold is usually given by injection into a muscle (intramuscular injection), etanercept is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection), and infliximab is given as a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion). � Some medicines are started at a low dose which is gradually increased (e.g. methotrexate). Other medicines are started at a higher dose and depending on how you respond to the medicine the dose may be reduced (e.g. gold injections).

Points to remember about all medicine

� Keep a list of all the medicines you take (including those bought over the counter) so that you can tell your doctor. � Follow the instructions which your doctor or pharmacist gives you about taking the tablets. For example, anti-inflammatory tablets should be taken with or after food. Penicillamine is taken on an empty stomach. If the instructions are not clear, ask your doctor for an explanation. � If after starting the medicine, if you experience any side-effects, tell your doctor. � Do not take medicines which you can buy without prescription without first discussing this with your doctor. These medicines may not be safe for you. For example, some contain anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause problems or react with the drugs which your doctor prescribes. This includes complementary medicines, e.g. herbal remedies or nutritional supplements. � Never share your medicines with others. They may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. � Keep medicines out of the reach of children. � Some drugs must not be taken together with alcohol. If in doubt, ask your doctor. � If you miss a dose, do not try to 'catch up' by taking extra tablets. If you are worried, ask your doctor or pharmacist. � Drugs are only one aspect of the treatment of condition. Other helpful treatments include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and foot care (chiropody/podiatry).

If you are in any doubt about your drug treatment for your arthritis, ask your doctor, rheumatology nurse specialist or pharmacist for advice.