Management of rheumatoid arthritis
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are lots of medicines that can help treat the symptoms of the disease and prevent it progressing. Lifestyle changes, physiotherapy and occupational therapy can also help. Occasionally, surgery may be necessary for badly damaged joints.Symptomatic relief
Two types of medicine are used to relieve the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis: simple analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Simple analgesics are pain killers such as paracetamol or codeine, given separately or as a combination called co-codamol. They provide short-term pain relief and are used in conjunction with other rheumatoid arthritis drugs that have longer-lasting effects. Codeine can cause constipation.
NSAIDs reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation. They work by inhibiting the action of an inflammatory enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Examples include ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. As well as their anti-inflammatory properties, NSAIDs can damage the lining of the stomach, so they are often given alongside acid-reducing drugs called proton-pump inhibitors. Newer, more selective NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors (e.g. celecoxib or etoricoxib) are less likely to damage the stomach but they are not suitable for people with heart disease.
