If you have rheumatoid arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you should consult with your doctor first before taking necessary treatments. According to your condition, the doctor will advise you which kind of treatment you should take such as taking proper medicines or making a surgery if your condition is at high risk. Nowadays, many different drugs are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of these drugs are to reduce pain and inflammation, to prevent deformity and to stop or lower the level of disease. All of these drugs can be divided into four categories.

1. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs): The functions of these drugs are to reduce pain and inflammation. Although you can buy some NSAIDs drugs over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription, consulting with your doctor is the best for you because there can be side-effects such as stomach bleeding, allergic reactions, kidney and heart problems. Some NSAIDs drugs available at over-the-counter: naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprelan), ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin), aspirin (Ascriptin, Ecotrin, Bayer) Some NSAIDs drugs available with a doctor's prescription: celecoxib (Celebrex), oxaprozin (Daypro) piroxicam (Feldene, Fexicam), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam)
2. Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): This group of medications prevents the joints from permanent damage and preserves the function and structure of the joints. Some commonly used DMARDs drugs are methotrexate (Trexall), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), azathioprine (Imuran).
3. Corticosteroids: These drugs including cortisone and prednisone are used to reduce inflammation and to slow joint damage. Because of their risks of side-effects such as kidney, liver and heart problems , these drugs should be taken under a doctor's instruction.
4. Biologic Response Modifiers: These medications naturally produced from human body improves the quality of immune system to be able to defense our body from diseases like cancer and arthritis. 

A number of biologics used for arthritis include:

• Tocilizumab (Actemra);
• Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia);
• Etanercept (Enbrel);
• Adalimumab (Humira);
• Anakinra (Kineret);
• Abatacept (Orencia);
• Infliximab (Remicade);
• Rituximab (Rituxan);
• Golimumab (Simponi).

Not only western medicines but also traditional drugs are also effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Based on the research done by a team at Pekin Union Medical College Hospital, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, TwHF (Triptergium willfordii Hook F), is effective to be used in the treatment of joint pain, inflammation and swelling. Huo-Luo-Xiao-Ling Dan as well as TwHF is also one of the Chinese herbal medicines which can protect bone damage in adjuvant arthritis.

Although there is no complete cure for rheumatoid arthritis, these kinds of drugs can help reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as swelling, pain and inflammation. Moreover, it prevents the joints from permanent damage and deformity and also preserves the structure and performance of the joints. The best action is prevention before having this disease or taking necessary treatments from the early signs of this disease.