New-age Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis
With the advances in science and technology, we have seen a lot of progress in the field of medicine as well. Researchers and scientists have now come up with drugs and medications far superior than earlier available. Here is an account of the new-age drugs which have come to help many suffering from arthritis.
Newer “second-line” drugs to control rheumatoid arthritis include leflunomide, and the “biologic” medications etanercept, infliximab, anakinra, and adalimumab. Compared to traditional DMARDs, biologic medication acts faster and effectively stops progressive joint damage. Other medication that can take care of rheumatoid arthritis and is the product of modern biotechnology is referred to as biologic medication or biological response modifier.
Research has shown that biological response modifiers also prevent progressive joint destruction of rheumatoid arthritis. They are currently trusted only if other second-line medications prove ineffective. They are also frequently used in combination with methotrexate and other DMARDs. Futhermore, it should be noted that the TNF-blocking biologics all are more effective when combined with methotrexate.
Anakinra is another biologic treatment that is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It works by binding to a cell messenger protein (IL-1, a proinflammation cytokine) and is injected under the skin daily. The response rate of anakinra does not seem as high as with other biologic medications.