When diagnosed with Arthritis and Connective Tissues Disease you may find that you need to take at least one medication to manage the condition. 

Medications prescribed by Rheumatology usually include:-

Pain Killers- Analgesia - is any member of the group of medication ( drugs)  used to achieve relief from pain 

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs-  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature

Steroids also called corticosteroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of conditions

Disease Modifying anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) - DMARDs help preserve joints by blocking inflammation and also keep the rheumatological condition under control

Click on the medications below for more information:

Apremilast   |   Ciclosporin   |   Cyclophosphamide   |​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   Hydroxychloroquine   |​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   Leflunomide 

Methotrexate   |​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   Methotrexate (Nordimet) pen   |​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   Methotrexate (Metoject) pen  

Mycophenolate   |​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   Sulfasalazine (Sulphasalazine)   |   Azathioprine

Click on the medications below for more information:

Biologic DMARDs

 

Adalimumab   |    Abatacept    |    Belimumab   |      Certolizumab Pegol    |   Etanercept 

 

Golimumab     |      Infliximab    |     Rituximab     |       Sarilumab      |       Secukinumab  

 

Tocilizumab     |     Ustekinumab    |    Ixekizumab  |    Bimekizumab   |     Guselkumab

 

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors 

 

Baricitinib   |       Filgotinib          Tofacitinib     |     Upadacitinib

To get the most out of your medicines and avoid unwanted side effects, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist about:

  • different ways to treat your condition
  • what will happen if you don’t take your medication
  • what are the benefits of certain medications
  • any side effects or risks
  • how long you will need to take the medication for
  • how you will know if it's working
  • anything you should avoid while you’re using medication and afterwards
  • anything you can do to help yourself.

 

Keep an updated list of all your medications, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications.

These questions are especially helpful to ask before you start taking a medication. DMARD and Biologic/ JAKs Medication initiation and Review Clinics  When you are first prescribed a drug, a member of the Rheumatology Health care team will discuss your condition and medication options with you. This will help you make an informed decision about your health and treatment  The decision is yours and you don't have to agree to any treatment that you're not happy with.  The Clinical Nurse Specialist will also provide you with a follow up review clinic.

DMARDS- 6 to 8 weeks after starting your medication

Biologics and JAKs- 3-4 months after starting treatment