APPENDICES: MORE POWERFUL DRUGS USED IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
These drugs are used where NSAIDs have been.tried, and have failed to control the symptoms. Most have some effect on the immune response within the joint. They have the advantage of checking the progress of joint destruction caused by rheumatoid arthritis, whereas NSAIDs simply suppress the immediate effects. On the other hand, they are powerful drugs which are more likely to cause side-effects. Once they are started, they will probably have to be taken for many years. For this reason, doctors delay using them until they are sure they are necessary. If taking such drugs, it is very important to have regular medical supervision and report any side-effects to the doctor.
In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, that do not respond to other treatments, drugs which have a general suppressive effect on the immune system may sometimes be used. The main one is azathioprine (Azamune, Imuran). These drugs make the body less able to fight infections, and at high doses they could make patients more susceptible to cancer. Corticosteroids (see Section 5) are sometimes used where none of the above treatments are effective.
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Tags: Allergies