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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 medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
methotrexate 6.2 148 reviews for methotrexate to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx X N X
Generic name:
methotrexate systemic
Brand names:
Otrexup, Rasuvo, Jylamvo, Trexall
Drug class:
antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
hydroxychloroquine 6.2 148 reviews for hydroxychloroquine to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx N N
Generic name:
hydroxychloroquine systemic
Brand names:
Plaquenil, Sovuna
Drug class:
antirheumatics, antimalarial quinolines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
prednisone 7.9 44 reviews for prednisone to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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 5.8 56 reviews for meloxicam to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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
Celebrex 7.7 21 reviews for Celebrex to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
celecoxib systemic
Drug class:
cox-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cimzia 7.4 43 reviews for Cimzia to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx B N
Generic name:
certolizumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Plaquenil 6.9 72 reviews for Plaquenil to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx N N
Generic name:
hydroxychloroquine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, antimalarial quinolines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Rituxan 7.5 22 reviews for Rituxan to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
rituximab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, CD20 monoclonal antibodies
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Xeljanz 5.2 103 reviews for Xeljanz to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
tofacitinib systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Enbrel 7.8 136 reviews for Enbrel to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx B N
Generic name:
etanercept systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
rituximab 7.3 84 reviews for rituximab to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
rituximab systemic
Brand names:
Rituxan, Riabni
Drug class:
antirheumatics, CD20 monoclonal antibodies
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
certolizumab 7.5 45 reviews for certolizumab to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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
Humira 6.1 140 reviews for Humira to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
sulfasalazine 5.4 93 reviews for sulfasalazine to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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
leflunomide 5.1 93 reviews for leflunomide to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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
diclofenac 6.6 46 reviews for diclofenac to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 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
Actemra 6.7 34 reviews for Actemra to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
tocilizumab systemic
Drug class:
interleukin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
celecoxib 7.3 30 reviews for celecoxib to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
celecoxib systemic
Brand name:
Celebrex
Drug class:
cox-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Mobic 6.5 20 reviews for Mobic to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N X
Generic name:
meloxicam systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
naproxen 6.9 26 reviews for naproxen to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Brand names:
Aleve, Naprosyn, Aflaxen, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, Anaprox-DS, EC-Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Reliever, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Arava 6.1 31 reviews for Arava to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx X N X
Generic name:
leflunomide systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Orencia 6.1 64 reviews for Orencia to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C N
Generic name:
abatacept systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Remicade 7.5 38 reviews for Remicade to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx B N
Generic name:
infliximab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
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, A-G Profen, Addaprin, Genpril, IBU-200, Midol IB, Motrin IB, Nuprin, Proprinal
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acetaminophen / hydrocodone Off-label 4.5 84 reviews for acetaminophen / hydrocodone to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx C 2 X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / hydrocodone systemic
Brand name:
Xodol
Drug class:
narcotic analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes

Frequently asked questions

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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

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