Читать книгу Arthritis For Dummies - Barry Fox - Страница 75

DMARDs are first-line treatments for RA that turn off a part of the immune system that is overactive in RA, addressing the problem at the source. They can alter the course of the disease by reducing inflammation and joint damage, while preserving joint function. DMARDs often used to treat RA include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, and leflunomide. Some DMARDs are also used to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

DMARDs are also known as remittive drugs and slow-acting drugs. They’re called slow acting because you may not see results for 8 to 12 weeks.

These drugs may influence the immune system — whose errant behavior can lead to RA — to slow the formation of joint deformities, affect cell growth, or otherwise lessen the progress of RA. They can even send the disease into remission, at least temporarily.

Typically DMARDs are used for life, although the dose may be reduced once the disease has been in remission for a while. Potential side effects of DMARDs include increased infections, gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and so on), liver problems, rashes, and blood cell disorders.