Arthritis is a disorder that impedes patients from enjoying normal activities. Pain in the joints can make it painful to walk, run, garden, cook, clean and participate in daily activities. Medication for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, works to lessen swelling in the joints, ward off joint damage and help patients continue to be active. But the drugs may have side effects. Also, arthritis drugs often take weeks or months to start working. With proper treatment, arthritis is a manageable disease.
Celebrex
Celebrex (celecoxib) helps arthritis patients to function more normally by reducing pain and stiffness. The drug may be taken alone or with food, notes Celebrex.com. It will help patients be active without debilitating pain from inflamed joints. This NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) may elevate the risk of heart attack and stroke. Other possible side effects include ulcers and internal bleeding of the stomach.
Trilistate
Trilistate (choline magnesium trisalicylate) diminishes pain from inflammation of joints due to arthritis. This drug is a NSAID. Thus it does raise risk of stroke, heart attack and bleeding in the stomach.
Dolobid
Dolobid (diflunisal) helps relieve the inflammation of arthritis as well. Dolobid should not be taken on an empty stomach. This drug is a NSAID. It may cause stroke, heart attack and stomach bleeding. This medication is taken as a tablet.
Rheumatrex
Rheumatrex (methotrexate) is used for rheumatoid arthritis. It is administered intravenously or by shot. This drug may cause red blood cell levels to drop and can also cause problems with the liver and kidney. Rheumatrex and Trexall (other brand name for methotrexate) may also cause birth defects. It's not fully understood how this drug works to help arthritis. It might modify a patient's immunity to lessen incidence of arthritis.
Arava
Arava (leflunomide) is also used for rheumatoid arthritis. It is a "disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)," according to Arava.com. This drug works to halt progress of damage to joints due to rheumatoid arthritis. Arava helps patients improve their ability to function in daily activities. Arava may cause birth defects. It should not be taken during or before a pregnancy.
Enbrel
Enbrel (etanercept) is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It works to impede inflammation and to halt further progress of damage to the joints. Enebrel may lessen the strength of the immune system, and this might lead to deadly infections.
