Skip to main content

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. 

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.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Acthar 10 1 review for Acthar to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Advil 10 1 review for Advil to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
aspirin 10 2 reviews for aspirin to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Brand names:
Arthritis Pain, Aspergum, Aspiritab, Aspirtab, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength Plus, Easprin, Ecotrin, Ecpirin, Entercote, Genacote, Halfprin, Norwich Aspirin, Vazalore
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
auranofin 10 2 reviews for auranofin to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
auranofin systemic
Brand name:
Ridaura
Drug class:
antirheumatics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Avsola 10 2 reviews for Avsola to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx B N
Generic name:
infliximab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Azulfidine 10 1 review for Azulfidine to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx B N
Generic name:
sulfasalazine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ibuprofen 10 6 reviews for ibuprofen to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Brand names:
Advil, Motrin, Proprinal, A-G Profen, Addaprin, Genpril, IBU-200, Midol IB, Motrin IB, Nuprin
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Mentholatum Pain Patch 10 1 review for Mentholatum Pain Patch to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
methyl salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Motrin 10 2 reviews for Motrin to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ridaura 10 2 reviews for Ridaura to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
auranofin systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
baricitinib 9.6 7 reviews for baricitinib to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx N
Generic name:
baricitinib systemic
Brand name:
Olumiant
Drug class:
antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
corticotropin 9.5 2 reviews for corticotropin to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Brand names:
Acthar, H.P. Acthar Gel
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Kineret 9.5 2 reviews for Kineret to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx B N
Generic name:
anakinra systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, interleukin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Olumiant 9.5 6 reviews for Olumiant to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx N
Generic name:
baricitinib systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Otrexup 9.5 2 reviews for Otrexup to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx X N X
Generic name:
methotrexate systemic
Drug class:
antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
anakinra 9.0 3 reviews for anakinra to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx B N
Generic name:
anakinra systemic
Brand name:
Kineret
Drug class:
antirheumatics, interleukin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Aristospan 9.0 1 review for Aristospan to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
camphor / menthol / methyl salicylate Off-label 9.0 1 review for camphor / menthol / methyl salicylate to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
OTC N
Generic name:
camphor / menthol / methyl salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Off-label:
Yes
Depo-Medrol 9.0 1 review for Depo-Medrol to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
methylprednisolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fenoprofen 9.0 1 review for fenoprofen to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx D N X
Generic name:
fenoprofen systemic
Brand names:
Fenortho, Nalfon
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Medrol Dosepak 9.0 1 review for Medrol Dosepak to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
methylprednisolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
tolmetin 9.0 1 review for tolmetin to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N X
Generic name:
tolmetin systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
methylprednisolone 8.8 16 reviews for methylprednisolone to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C N
Generic name:
methylprednisolone systemic
Brand names:
Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack, Solu-Medrol
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acetaminophen / tramadol Off-label 8.7 3 reviews for acetaminophen / tramadol to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx C 4 X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / tramadol systemic
Drug class:
narcotic analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
ketoprofen 8.5 2 reviews for ketoprofen to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ketoprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

Medicine.com guides (external)

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.