Rheumatoid
Arthritis
What
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation in the
lining of the joints and/or other internal organs. It affects
many different joints and is typically chronic, which means
it lasts a long time, and can be a disease of flare-ups.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects the entire
body and is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It
is characterized by the inflammation of the membrane lining
the joint, which causes pain,
stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling. The involved joint
can lose its shape and alignment, resulting in pain and
loss of movement.
What
Causes It?
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not yet known.
However, it is known that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune
disease. The body's natural immune system does not operate
as it should, resulting in the immune system attacking healthy
joint tissue and causing inflammation and subsequent joint
damage.
Researchers suspect that agent-like viruses may
trigger rheumatoid arthritis in some people who have an
inherited tendency for the disease. Many people with rheumatoid
arthritis have a certain genetic marker called HLA-DR4.
Researchers know that there are other genes that influence
the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
What
Are the Symptoms?
The
onset of rheumatoid arthritis brings fatigue, soreness,
stiffness, aching, and pain and swelling in isolated bilateral
joints. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in the hands,
or the feet and also affects the wrist, several joints in
the hand. Rheumatoid arthritis is also found in elbows,
the shoulders, neck, knees, hips and ankles. Over time,
inflamed joints can be damaged and cause other features
like lumps, or Rheumatoid Nodules under the skin.
Who
Is At Risk?
Rheumatoid
arthritis affects over 2 million Americans with over 1 million
women compared to just over a half million men. Though the
onset is commonly middle age, it is more commonly found
in the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis has also been found
in children and young adults.
Diagnosis
& Treatment
In many cases, early diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis can better control the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is
diagnosed by a pattern of symptoms, medical history, physical
exam, x-rays and blood tests for Rheumatoid Factor, which
is an antibody found in the blood of 80% of adults with
rheumatoid arthritis.
Today, there are several effective drugs for
rheumatoid arthritis. Early treatment is critical
for relieving pain, reducing inflammation, slowing joint
damage and hopefully arresting damage to joints. Early treatment
also helps rheumatoid arthritis
patients enjoy a better quality of life.
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ENBREL®
Therapy
ENBREL®
is the only fully human TNF receptor approved for use to
reduce the signs and symptoms of active arthritis in patients
with psoriatic arthritis, and to reduce the signs and symptoms
and inhibit the structural damage in patients with moderately
to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL®
is the only biologic therapy approved to treat newly diagnosed
RA patients with moderately to severely active disease.
For
more on ENBREL®,
visit
www.ENBREL.com
HUMIRA
Therapy
HUMIRA
is the latest treatment option that controls the symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis
- and slows the progression of the disease. HUMIRA works
by blocking the effects of cytokines, which act as messengers
within the immune system and can cause inflammation to the
joints. HUMIRA reduces the symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis
by helping the body's own immune system to slow down the
inflammation process and inhibit joint deterioration.
For
more on HUMIRA, visit
www.HUMIRA.com
REMICADE®
Therapy
REMICADE®
was first approved by the FDA in 1999, and later became
the first drug proven to both help stop further joint damage
and improve physical function. REMICADE®,
in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for reducing
signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural
damage, and improving physical function in patients with
moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
REMICADE®
works with your body's immune system to help stop the damage
caused by
rheumatoid
arthritis
from progressing. REMICADE®
blocks the activity of TNF-alpha, one of the proteins in
your body that leads to inflammation. This helps stop joint
pain and swelling, as well as further joint damage. Individual
results may vary.
For
more on REMICADE®,
visit www.REMICADE.com
KINERET®
KINERET® is a medicine used to reduce the pain and swelling associated
with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. Kineret®
is a man-made protein that is similar to a naturally occurring
protein called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)
found in the body.
For
more on KINERET
®,
visit
www.KINERETRX.com
SIMPONI™
SIMPONI™ is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the medicine methotrexate; active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), alone or with the medicine methotrexate; and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Once you and your doctor are comfortable with self-injection process, you will inject SIMPONI™ once a month under the skin.
For
more on SIMPONI™,
visit www.SIMPONI.com
CIMZIA®
CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol) is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, or RA. Because it blocks the action of a substance in your body called TNF-alpha, CIMZIA is often referred to as an “anti-TNF therapy.” It’s believed that people with rheumatoid arthritis have too much TNF in their bodies. For many people in clinical trials, CIMZIA was shown to help reduce the inflammation, stiffness, and joint damage that moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis can cause.
For
more on CIMZIA ®,
visit www.CIMZIA.com
RITUXAN®
RITUXAN® (rituximab) in combination with methotrexate is indicated to reduce signs and symptoms and to slow the progression of structural damage in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.
For
more on RITUXAN ®,
visit www.RITUXAN.com
ORENCIA®
ORENCIA® (abatacept) is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including those who have not been helped enough by other medicines for RA. ORENCIA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints, and may help your ability to perform daily activities. ORENCIA also reduces signs and symptoms in children and adolescents 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
ORENCIA can also make your immune system less able to fight infections, so you may be more likely to get infections or any infection you have may get worse. It is important to tell your doctor if you think you have any infections.
For
more on ORENCIA ®,
visit www.ORENCIA.com
ACTEMRA®
ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) is now approved by the FDA. ACTEMRA is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor. ACTEMRA is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist has been used and did not work well
For
more on ACTEMRA ®,
visit www.ACTEMRA.com
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The
inclusion of any medication on this website is strictly
for informational purpose, and it is in no way an endorsement
of any medication, only your doctor can prescribe the necessary
medication. RX Biotech is an independent company with
no affiliation with any pharmaceutical corporation.
