Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Other names: Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; RA

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition that can affect the joints and other tissues and organs in the body.

What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by your immune system making antibodies which attack your tissue.

Experts are not sure why the immune system in some people does this, but they have identified certain risk factors that make some people more likely than others to develop RA. These include:

Smoking
Hormones: Women are more likely to develop RA than men
Having a family history of RA: Some evidence that RA can run in families

Some research suggests triggers, such as infection, trauma, or injury may kick off RA; however, none of these have been proven.

What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The main symptoms of RA are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Usually, symptoms develop gradually over several weeks, but in some people, symptoms develop rapidly.

The small joints of the hand and feet (such as the wrists, fingers, knees, toes, and ankles) are usually the first to become affected. Stiffness is usually worse first thing in the morning or after periods of inactivity and may make movement difficult. RA usually affects the joints on both sides of the body equally.

The pain is typically described as throbbing and aching. Joint stiffness is usually worse in the morning but still tends to persist, unlike stiffness caused by osteoarthritis which tends to wear off after about 30 minutes. Because the tissue inside the joints is affected, joints may look swollen and feel hot and tender to the touch. Some people develop firm swellings under the skin, called nodules, around affected joints.
Joint and bone destruction can occur over time if the disease process is not well-controlled.

Patients may also lack energy and have experience fevers, sweating, a poor appetite, and weight loss. Other symptoms may occur depending on what other parts of the body are affected, for example, dry eyes, or heart or lung problems.

How is Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?

If you develop any symptoms suggestive of RA, see your doctor. Your doctor will complete a physical exam checking your joints for warmth or redness, and also check your reflexes and joint strength.

Other tests that may be conducted include:

Blood tests
C-reactive protein (CRC)
Rheumatoid Factor test
X-rays
An MRI.

How is Rheumatoid Arthritis treated?

Rheumatoid arthritis usually requires lifelong treatment with:

Medications
Physical therapy
Targeted home exercises
Health education
Possibly surgery.

Early, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can delay joint destruction.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Rx and OTC

Drug name	Rating	Reviews	Rx/OTC	Pregnancy	CSA	Alcohol
methotrexate	6.0	125 reviews	Rx	X	N	X
Generic name: methotrexate systemic Brand names: Otrexup, Rasuvo, Jylamvo, RediTrex, Trexall …show all Drug class: antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

sulfasalazine	4.7	73 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: sulfasalazine systemic Brand names: Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs Drug class: antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

hydroxychloroquine	6.2	146 reviews	Rx	N	N
Generic name: hydroxychloroquine systemic Brand name: Plaquenil Drug class: antirheumatics, antimalarial quinolines For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

prednisone	8.1	43 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: prednisone systemic Brand name: Rayos Drug class: glucocorticoids For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

meloxicam	5.7	56 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: meloxicam systemic Brand name: Mobic Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Remicade	7.3	34 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: infliximab systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Celebrex	7.7	22 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: celecoxib systemic Drug class: cox-2 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Plaquenil	6.8	71 reviews	Rx	N	N
Generic name: hydroxychloroquine systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, antimalarial quinolines For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cimzia	7.2	32 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: certolizumab systemic Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Enbrel	7.8	132 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: etanercept systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Azulfidine	10	1 review	Rx	B	N
Generic name: sulfasalazine systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Simponi	6.4	44 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: golimumab systemic Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Rinvoq	6.1	72 reviews	Rx		N
Generic name: upadacitinib systemic Drug class: antirheumatics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Humira	6.0	137 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: adalimumab systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Avsola	Rate	Add review	Rx	B	N
Generic name: infliximab systemic Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Azulfidine EN-tabs	Rate	Add review	Rx	B	N
Generic name: sulfasalazine systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

certolizumab	7.2	32 reviews	Rx	B	N
Generic name: certolizumab systemic Brand name: Cimzia Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Olumiant	8.5	2 reviews	Rx		N
Generic name: baricitinib systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Renflexis	Rate	Add review	Rx	B	N
Generic name: infliximab systemic Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

upadacitinib	6.0	75 reviews	Rx		N
Generic name: upadacitinib systemic Brand name: Rinvoq Drug class: antirheumatics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

leflunomide	5.1	89 reviews	Rx	X	N	X
Generic name: leflunomide systemic Brand name: Arava Drug class: antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Actemra	6.6	31 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: tocilizumab systemic Drug class: interleukin inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

diclofenac	6.6	44 reviews	Rx	D	N	X
Generic name: diclofenac systemic Brand names: Voltaren, Cataflam, Lofena Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Arava	6.1	31 reviews	Rx	X	N	X
Generic name: leflunomide systemic Drug class: antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Mobic	6.4	21 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: meloxicam systemic Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Rheumatoid Arthritis

Felty's Syndrome (1 drug)
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (109 drugs in 4 topics)

Alternative treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Learn more about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Rheumatoid arthritis

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide

Legend

Rating	For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity	Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx	Prescription only.
OTC	Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC	Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label	This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA	An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access	Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.

Pregnancy Category
A	Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B	Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C	Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D	There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X	Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N	FDA has not classified the drug.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M	The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U	CSA Schedule is unknown.
N	Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1	Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2	Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3	Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.

Alcohol
X	Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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