RA therapeutic approach

Question 1

therapeutic categories for RA

Answer 1

NSAIDs

disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD)

biologic

corticosteroids (oral, IM, IA)

Question 2

DMARDS

Answer 2

group of structurally unrelated, typically small molecule drugs which have been demonstrated to slow onset effect of disease activity and retard disease progression

Question 3

DMARD examples

Answer 3

methotrexate
sulfalazine
hydroxychloroquine
leflunomide

Question 4

approach to managing RA

Answer 4

early and aggressive intervention is key to obtaining optimal outcomes

effective suppression of inflammation will improve symptoms and prevent joint damage and disability

Question 5

biologics used for RA

Answer 5

TNF-alpha inhibitors 
IL-1 inhibitors 
anti-B cell therapies
anti-T cell therapies
IL-6 inhibitors
oral kinase inhibitors

Question 6

issues with biologics

Answer 6

efficacy: enhanced response when co-prescribed with methotrexate

toxicity

costly