Glucocorticoids (Steroids)
The higher the milligrams, the risk for decreased bone mass and increased fractures rises. These are two main side effects your doctor should and will look out for if you have been on the medication for months or years at a time.
In order to test how your bone mass is the rheumatologist or physician, will order a DEXA scan (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). This is simply two X-ray beams that are aimed at the bones and is a painless procedure. The spine and hips are the typical areas of the body looked at. No matter if you are taking the lowest dose possible or the highest, your rheumatologist will still order this for precautionary measures.
Along with undesirable side effects, such as increased appetite with subsequent weight gain, difficulty sleeping, acne and anxiety, they can have much more serious side effects, such as elevated blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, glaucoma and increased risk for infection.
Examples of glucocorticoids include prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs) and Analgesics
Unlike the previously listed drug classes, NSAIDs will not treat rheumatoid arthritis specifically but will treat the symptoms associated with the condition. This class of drugs includes about 20 drugs – from the over-the-counter ibuprofen and naproxen to the prescription drug Celecoxib.
NSAIDs are used to treat pain associated with RA; in fact, they block an enzyme that increases inflammation so they actually cause a reduction in inflammation — hence the name. Although they reduce pain and inflammation, they cannot reduce damage already done to the joints.
They are taken in conjunction with other rheumatoid arthritis medications that are used to specifically treat the symptoms and progression of RA. It may need to be limited in certain patient populations, such as those with kidney or liver disease, so discussing with your physician prior to taking an NSAID is recommended.
These drugs can affect the cardiovascular system (causing high blood pressure and heart diseases), the digestive system (stomach upset/irritation, peptic ulcers, bleeding), cause liver and kidney damage and ringing in the ears.
All these symptoms can be avoided with careful patient selection and usage of the drug. Following the dosage instructions is crucial in order to protect the organs. Taking over the recommended amount or overusing, is when problems can occur rapidly.
Two drugs from this group (Rofecoxib and Valdecoxib) had been removed from the market after being linked with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. NSAIDs interact with many drugs including blood thinners and some anti-seizure drugs. Examples include Celebrex, ibuprofen and diclofenac.
As with NSAIDs, analgesics treat pain associated with RA. However, they do not treat inflammation so they will not reduce swelling of the joints. As with NSAIDs, they should not be used alone and should be used in conjunction with other RA treatments.
NSAIDs may be purchased over-the-counter or also may be given as a prescription, depending on the severity of the pain. Examples of analgesics include acetaminophen, tramadol, oxycodone and hydrocodone.
How Combination Therapy Leads to Better Results
As a patient, it is normal to feel unease when a doctor suggests combining more than one rheumatoid arthritis medication. There are several reasons why this approach is helpful.
The two most popular drug classes, biologics and DMARDs come with a list of side effects. For instance, methotrexate has been one of the first class of DMARDs to be administered to patients with rheumatoid arthritis for over forty years.
Many find the side effects of such as hair thinning and loss or fatigue to be unbearable, leading patients no choice but to switch to another DMARD or the next step up which is a biologic.
Depending on the person's specific situation, a rheumatologist may decide to begin a treatment with a DMARD or two and corticosteroids such as prednisone or local joint injections.
While the patient is monitored with regular bloodwork, x-rays and examinations during follow-up appointments, the rheumatologist can then assess whether or not if it’s appropriate to add another line of defense.
Methotrexate, in this case, is often taken alongside the medication called Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), another DMARD. Studies show that combining these two pharmaceuticals, it can help those who are experiencing bad side effects from methotrexate. In fact, Plaquenil is known to protect you from the negative aspects of methotrexate and allow it to work better.
The severity of the patient's disease activity and markers also play a crucial role in deciding if two or three rheumatoid arthritis medications will be prescribed at once.
To treat aggressive RA, one biologic or DMARD is often not enough. In these cases, the best outcomes for protecting joints from irreversible damage, joint deformities and other complications is to treat the disease equally as aggressive. This is because patients find then with one biologic or DMARD, they are still experiencing morning stiffness, pain, swelling or fatigue, with the effects of the medication diminishing after several months or years.
Interestingly enough, studies have found something called “triple therapy” which is a combination of Plaquenil, sulfasalazine and methotrexate, has been shown to work similar to the combination of methotrexate (DMARD) and Etanercept (Enbrel). Enbrel being the strongest of all four medications.
Mild forms of rheumatoid arthritis, respond well to one or two DMARDs often bringing patients into complete remission or a low state of disease activity fairly quickly.
Whether you are living with a mild, moderate or severe form of rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t matter. What matters is to look at the big picture that the disease can cause irreversible damage at any form or stage, and early detection but aggressive treatment is key to a successful outcome.
The only downside that doctors are finding is that while they know patients can respond well to one biologic or DMARD alone, there are no distinctive tests made to show who is in need of more. This leads patients down the road of trial and error, and going on and off various rheumatoid arthritis medications and combinations for months or years before they find one that works to bring the body back into a state of balance, remission or low disease activity.
The Takeaway
Remember that everyone who has rheumatoid arthritis has their own treatment plan that is individualized by their physician. Your treatment plan will likely look different than someone else’s.
Also keep in mind that if one medication does not work for you, there are a multitude of other options available — and there is further research being done every day to better the lives of RA sufferers.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to talk to your physician and rheumatologist about all the rheumatoid arthritis medication options available now. Establishing a positive doctor-patient relationship, yields to good rapport and understanding of your health goals and what you are willing to try out moving forward.
