Treatment Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic progressive disease characterized by flare ups and periods of remissions. There is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is focused on managing and relieving symptoms.

Types of Treatments

There are several main treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments are described in more detail below.

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Steroids
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
  • Immunotherapy
  • Physical and/or Occupational Therapy and Exercise
  • Surgery
  • Supportive devices

Medications

Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen sodium
  • Celecoxib
  • Acetaminophen
  • Tramadol

Steroids – Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis to help decrease pain, inflammation, and slow joint damage.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – These drugs can help prevent permanent joint and other tissue damage as well as can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • Baractinib
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Leflunomide
  • Methotrexate
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Tofacitinib

Immunotherapy, also called biologics –Immunotherapy modifies the immune causes of inflammation and joint and tissue damage.

Immunotherapy drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • Abatacept
  • Adalimumab
  • Anakinra
  • Certolizumab
  • Etanercept
  • Golimumab
  • Infliximab
  • Rituximab
  • Sarilumab
  • Tocilizumab

Physical and/or Occupational Therapy and Exercise – A physical or occupational therapist can provide exercises and methods for daily living that can help preserve joint mobility for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular walking and low-impact exercises can also help decrease pressure on joints.

Surgery

Rheumatoid arthritis that has progressed to severe joint damage or deformity may need surgery to repair or replace joints and/or to improve function and reduce pain.

Surgeries for rheumatoid arthritis may include the following:

Synovectomy – This surgery removes the lining of the joint called the synovium that is inflamed, such as in the fingers, wrists, elbows, and hips.

Tendon repair – Rheumatoid arthritis may cause tendon loosening or tendon ruptures around joints and require tendon repair.

Joint fusion – Joint fusion is a surgery used to provide stability or realignment to a joint as well as pain relief.

Total joint replacement – Total joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, is when the damaged joint is removed, and an implant is used to replace the joint.

Supportive devices – Supportive devices, such as canes, walkers, splints, braces, slings, orthotics, or Ace bandages may be used for patients with rheumatoid arthritis to take the pressure off joints and protect them.

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis to monitor progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022

Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Found 46 Approved Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Infliximab

Brand Names
Inflectra, Avsola, Zymfentra, Remicade, Renflexis

Infliximab

Brand Names
Inflectra, Avsola, Zymfentra, Remicade, Renflexis
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: August 24, 1998
Classification: Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
ZYMFENTRA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated in adults for maintenance treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. ( 1 ) moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease following treatment with an infliximab products administered intraneously. ( 1 ) ZYMFENTRA is indicated in adults for maintenance treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. moderately to severely active Crohn's disease following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravetnously.

RiTUXimab

Brand Names
Rituxan, Ruxience, Riabni, Rituxan Hycela, Truxima

RiTUXimab

Brand Names
Rituxan, Ruxience, Riabni, Rituxan Hycela, Truxima
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: November 26, 1997
Classification: CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody
RITUXAN is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL).

Tocilizumab

Brand Names
Tocilizumab-anoh, Actemra ACTPen, Tofidence, Actemra, Tyenne, Avtozma

Tocilizumab

Brand Names
Tocilizumab-anoh, Actemra ACTPen, Tofidence, Actemra, Tyenne, Avtozma
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: January 08, 2010
Classification: Interleukin-6 Receptor Antagonist
TYENNE ® (tocilizumab-aazg) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist indicated for treatment of: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Adalimumab

Brand Names
Amjevita, Yuflyma, Adalimumab-aacf, Yusimry, Humira, Hyrimoz, Hadlima

Adalimumab

Brand Names
Amjevita, Yuflyma, Adalimumab-aacf, Yusimry, Humira, Hyrimoz, Hadlima
Form: Injection, Kit, Solution
Method of administration: Subcutaneous
FDA approval date: December 31, 2002
Classification: Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
Plaque Psoriasis HYRIMOZ is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. HYRIMOZ should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician. Ulcerative Colitis HYRIMOZ is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients. Limitations of Use: The effectiveness of adalimumab products has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF-blockers [see Clinical Studies (1. HYRIMOZ is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocker indicated for: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Orencia

Generic Name
Abatacept

Orencia

Generic Name
Abatacept
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: January 01, 2009
Classification: Selective T Cell Costimulation Modulator
ORENCIA is a selective T cell costimulation modulator indicated for: the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
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