Many drugs exist for the treatment of arthritis. Intravenous drugs are generally used for people who have not had success with other treatments, according to the Arthritis Research Campaign. These drugs may help reduce the joint inflammation caused by arthritis.
Types
Most drugs for arthritis are taken orally. However, intravenous drugs are given as a drip into a vein, according to the Arthritis Research Campaign. Drugs that are given intravenously include infliximab (brand name Remicade) and abatacept (brand name Orencia).
Benefits
Intravenous drugs may help relieve arthritis by blocking cells in the body that cause bothersome symptoms.
Time Frame
It may take several months to experience results with abatacept. Results with inflixamab may take days to weeks, according to the John Hopkins Arthritis Center.
Dosages
According to the John Hopkins Arthritis Center, dosages for intravenous drugs are based on weight. Patients receiving abatacept may be given intravenous doses every month for periods of 30 minutes to an hour. Intravenous dosages of infliximab generally take between two and three hours and are given every eight weeks after the starting doses.
Side Effects
Side effects related to inflixamib intravenous drugs include fever, chills, body aches and headache. Side effects occurring with abatacept include increased infections.
