Deciding if you should take drugs and if so…deciding which rheumatoid arthritis medication is right for you, can be overwhelming. With more choices than ever out there, how do you know which drug or combination of drugs is best for you?Let’s go over some of your options.
There are 5 main categories of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis:
· Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
· Analgesic Drugs
· Glucocorticoids or Prednisone
· Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
· Biologic Response Modifiers (BMRs)
Okay, so now you know the types of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but what do they do?
Let’s review the pros and cons of the first 2 types.
NSAIDs
If you’re like most people, chances are you’ve taken an NSAID before. Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen are all NSAIDs. NSAIDs are cheap, they’ve been around for a long time so we know a lot about them and how they work, and some NSAIDs, like aspirin, may help prevent heart attacks and stroke if taken in low doses over a long period of time.
However, NSAIDs do have their downsides. They can cause stomach problems like nausea, and taking too many NSAIDs can damage your kidneys. Get this…long term use of NSAIDS can actually increase the damage to your joints. Also, they are blood thinners, so if you are already taking a blood-thinning drug or if you have a blood clotting disorder, NSAIDs aren’t for you.
Analgesic Drugs
Like NSAIDs, some analgesic drugs can be very affordable – and if you’ve ever taken Tylenol, then you’ve taken an analgesic drug. Another good thing about analgesic drugs is they’re less likely to cause stomach problems than NSAIDs, and they’re the most highly recommended first line of defense in traditional medicine to treating rheumatoid arthritis pain.
But analgesic drugs also have their cons. Over the long term, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can hurt your liver. Never mix painkillers with alcohol. If you do, get to the emergency room right away. You will need quick action to save your life. These drugs can also thin your blood – just like NSAIDs. So, if you are anemic or have a blood clotting disorder, these drugs may not be your best option.
Steps to Improve Your Health
Dr. Steven Dell
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