What medicine is effective for rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that affects the joints. After contracting this disease, the tissues around the joints will be destroyed and the function of the joints will be impaired, causing pain and swelling in the joints. It will also be accompanied by symptoms such as joint stiffness, subcutaneous nodules, joint deformities, and increased body temperature, which will have a great impact on the patient's physical health and daily life. One of the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis is medication. Drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are divided into four types: first-line drugs, second-line drugs, third-line drugs and traditional Chinese medicine. Next, I will give you a detailed introduction to the effects of these four medicines and which groups of people they are suitable for!

1. First-line drugs, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

First-line drugs have good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and can quickly relieve symptoms such as joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and dysfunction. Commonly used first-line drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include: salicylates, such as aspirin, sodium salicylate, etc.; acetic acids (i.e. indoles), such as indomethacin, Chinoly, etc.; propionic acids, such as ibuprofen (fenbid is a sustained-release capsule of ibuprofen), naproxen, etc.; fenamic acids, such as flufenamic acid, diclofenamic acid (its products include Difen, Intaqing, and Voltaren), etc.; oxicams, such as piroxicam, meloxicam (trade name Mobic), etc.; pyrazolones, such as fentanyl, hydroxyfentanyl, etc.; coxibs, such as celecoxib (trade name Celebrex), rofecoxib (trade name Vanuo), etc.; other types, such as nimesulide, nabumetone, etc.

2. Second-line drugs, i.e. chronic drugs

Second-line drugs tend to treat the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis. This type of drugs mainly includes: immunosuppressants such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, cyclosporine, leflunomide (trade name Aierhua), as well as pyridine azithromycin, gold preparations (such as Reed), D-penicillamine, antimalarial drugs, etc.

3. Third-line drugs, namely steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Also known as hormone drugs. This class of drugs has a rapid and significant effect on fever, joint pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, when using hormone drugs, be sure to ask your doctor to strictly control the dosage and course of treatment, otherwise it will produce greater side effects and the cost will outweigh the benefits. Commonly used third-line drugs include: prednisone, cortisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, diproton, etc.

4. Traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine can eliminate wind, cold, dampness and heat, dredge the meridians and joints, and achieve the purpose of controlling the disease, shortening the course of the disease and alleviating symptoms. Commonly used Chinese medicines include: Tripterygium wilfordii, Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides, Kunming Crabapple, Caulis Sinomenii, total glycosides of white peony, Zhengqingfengtongning, Shufenghuoluo tablets, Zhuifengtougu pills, etc.