Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.
- Tender, warm, swollen joints
- Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity
- Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite
- Blood tests
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, also known as sed rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.
- Imaging tests
Your doctor may recommend X-rays to help track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in your joints over time. MRI and ultrasound tests can help your doctor judge the severity of the disease in your body.
The following specialty medications are available at Ace, a specialty pharmacy for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
|
BRAND
|
DRUG |
|
Imuran
|
Azathioprine |
|
Neoral
|
Cyclosporin |
|
Plaquenil
|
Hydroxychloroquine |
|
Arava
|
Leflunomide |
|
Methoblastin
|
Methotrexate |
|
Pyralin
|
Sulfasalazine |
|
Kineret
|
Anakinra |
|
Actemra
|
Tocilizumab |
|
Olumiant
|
Baricitinib |
|
Xeljanz
|
Tofacitinib |
|
Rinvoq
|
Upadacitinib |
|
Humira
|
Adalimumab |
|
Cimzia
|
Certolizumab |
|
Enbrel
|
Etanercept |
|
Simponi
|
Golimumab |
|
Remicade, Renflexis |
Infliximab |
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for same issue. See below for a few of those organizations.
Support Organizations
