Rheumatoid arthritis refers to a joint inflammatory disease that typically affects the tiny joints in the feet and hands. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the entire body with fevers and fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic. Specific symptoms include joint swelling or pain, puffy hands, joint tenderness, weight loss, fever and morning stiffness. It is more likely to occur in women and generally strikes after age 40. Drugs can help manage symptoms of the disease.
Leflunomide
Leflunomide is a medication used to decrease the swelling and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, according to Drugs.com. Leflunomide's common effects include nasal congestion, runny nose, back pain, headaches, dizziness, stomach pain and diarrhea. Call a doctor when leflunomide's common effects remain for more than five to seven days.
Leflunomide's serious effects include chest pain, a fever, chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, difficulty breathing and easy bleeding or bruising. Tell a doctor immediately if leflunomide causes these effects.
Drugs.com says a dosage change may be needed if a person has kidney or liver disease, tuberculosis or a weakened immune system. A woman should not take leflunomide if pregnant because it can lead to birth defects.
Leflunomide is a tablet that should be taken as prescribed.
Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is an immunosupressant that works to reduce the immune system's activity in rheumatoid arthritis. The medication is typically used as a chemotherapy drug to treat cancer.
Cyclophosphamide's common effects include stomach pain, mouth sores, diarrhea and vomiting, Drugs.com says. Cyclophosphamide can also lead to changes in skin color and nausea.
Cyclophosphamide's serious effects include black stools, blood in the urine, chest pain, abnormal bleeding or bruising and chills. This drug also causes difficulty breathing and a sore throat. Talk to a doctor when cyclophosphamide causes these effects.
A change in cyclophosphamide's dose may be necessary when in patients who have heart disease, kidney or liver disease, infections, bone marrow problems or low platelet levels.
Cyclophosphamide is available as a tablet or an injection and it should be taken as directed.
Etanercept
MedlinePlus says that etanercept is a tumor-necrosis factor inhibitor medication used to decrease the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.
Etanercept's common effects include nausea, headaches, pale skin, weakness and stomach pain. Etanercept also causes a cough and redness, pain or itching at the injection site. Tell a doctor when etanercept's common effects do not resolve within five to seven days.
Etanercept's serious effects include bleeding, seizures, itching, dizziness, rash and trouble breathing or swallowing. Get help immediately when this drug causes these effects.
Etanercept is an injection that is typically given one or two times a week.
