Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Actemra (Tocilizumab)

Overview

Actemra, also known by its drug name, Tocilizumab, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 for adults with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis tha... read more

Acthar Gel (Repository corticotropin hormone)

Overview

Acthar Gel is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat conditions including multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Acthar Gel is also ... read more

Advil (Ibuprofen)

Overview

Advil is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It is also known as Ibuprofen (the name of the drug) and Motrin (an additional brand name). Stronger doses of Adv... read more

Aleve (Naproxen)

Overview

Aleve is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It is also known by its drug name, Naproxen. Stronger doses of Naproxen are available by prescription. Aleve is u... read more

Amjevita (Adalimumab-atto)

Overview
Amjevita is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce signs and symptoms, inhibit disease progression, and improve function in adults with moderately to se... read more

Aralen (Chloroquine)

Overview
Aralen is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat malaria. Aralen is also prescribed off-label to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Aralen may be referred to by its d... read more

Arava (Leflunomide)

Overview

Arava, also known by its drug name, Leflunomide, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 to treat joint pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with ... read more

Arthrodesis

Overview

In cases of advanced rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joints may be destroyed or badly eroded. Medication or corrective surgery may no longer help. In these cases, arthrodesis, or joint fusion surgery, ca... read more

Arthroplasty

Overview

Surgery can significantly improve function and relieve pain in cases when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) becomes very severe. Arthroplasty, or joint replacement, involves replacing some or all of the bon... read more

Aspirin

Overview
Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is sold under the brand name Bayer.

Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is b... read more

Azasan (Azathioprine)

Overview

Azasan is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1968 to help prevent rejection in people who had kidney transplants. More recently, it has been used to trea... read more

Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine)

Overview

Azulfidine, also known by its drug name, Sulfasalazine, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1950. It is prescribed to decrease pain and swelling associ... read more

Celebrex (Celecoxib)

Overview

Celebrex is a prescription medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It is also known by its drug name, Celecoxib. Celebr... read more

Cimzia (Certolizumab pegol)

Overview

Cimzia is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults 18 years and older. Cimzia may be prescribed alo... read more

Complementary therapies

Overview

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) choose to incorporate non-traditional therapies into their treatment plan. These treatments may be in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternativ... read more

Cuprimine (Penicillamine)

Overview
Cuprimine is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in people who have not responded to conventional trea... read more

Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)

Overview

Cytoxan, also known by its drug name, Cyclophosphamide, is a prescription medication originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancer in 1959. Cytoxan may be prescri... read more

Depen (Penicillamine)

Overview
Depen is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in people who have not responded to conventional treatmen... read more

Dynacin (Minocycline)

Overview

Dynacin is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 40 years ago for the treatment of infections. Dynacin may be prescribed to help control symptoms and... read more

Enbrel (Etanercept)

Overview

Enbrel, also known by its drug name, Etanercept, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 for people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that ... read more

Erelzi (Etanercept-szzs)

Overview
Erelzi is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce signs and symptoms, inhibit disease progression, and improve function in people with moderately to seve... read more

Exercise

Overview

In recent years, many studies have proven that various types of physical activity not only promote general health in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but can actually help manage a variety of ... read more

Humira (Adalimumab)

Overview
Humira is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Humira may be prescribed alone or in addition to co... read more

Ibuprofen

Overview

Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It is sold under the brand names Motrin and Advil. Stronger doses of Ibuprofen are available by prescription.... read more

Imuran (Azathioprine)

Overview
Imuran is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1968 to help prevent rejection in people who had kidney transplants. More recently, it has been used to treat ... read more

Inflectra (Infliximab)

Overview
Inflectra is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in combination with Methotrexate. Infl... read more

Kineret (Anakinra)

Overview
Kineret is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration
to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults who have not improved on other disease-modifying ant... read more

Medrol (Methylprednisolone)

Overview

Medrol is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. It is also known by its drug name, Methylprednisolone. Medrol is used to control pain, s... read more

Methotrexate

Overview

Methotrexate, sold under the brand names Trexall and Rheumatrex, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methot... read more

Minocin (Minocycline)

Overview
Minocin, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 40 years ago for the treatment of infections. Minocin may be prescribed to help control symptoms and ... read more

Mobic (Meloxicam)

Overview
Mobic is a prescription medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to treat adult rheumatoid arthritis as well as juvenile arthritis in children who weigh at least 60 kil... read more

Neoral (Cyclosporine)

Overview
Neoral is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in1983 to help prevent organ rejection in people who have received transplants. More recently, Neoral has been us... read more

Occupational therapy

Overview

Occupational therapy is focused on maintaining and improving the ability to engage in daily activities, whether self-care, paid work or leisure pursuits. An occupational therapist can help people wi... read more

Orencia (Abatacept)

Overview

Orencia, also known by its drug name, Abatacept, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. Orencia is approved as second-line treatment in cases of mod... read more

Physical therapy

Overview

From the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to advanced stages of the disease, physical therapy can help delay disability and preserve your quality of life. A physical therapist will focus on... read more

Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine)

Overview

Plaquenil is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1955. Plaquenil is prescribed to treat inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other ... read more

Prednisone

Overview

Prednisone is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1950s. Prednisone is used to control pain, swelling, stiffness and disease progression in rheumatoid... read more

Remicade (Infliximab)

Overview

Remicade, also known by its drug name, Infliximab, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 to reduce disease activity in people whose rheumatoid arthr... read more

Remsima (Infliximab)

Overview
Remsima is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe, active, progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Remsima is indicated for use in... read more

Rheumatrex (Methotrexate)

Overview

Rheumatrex, also known as Methotrexate (drug name) and Trexall (alternative brand name), is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 for treatment of rheu... read more

Rituxan (Rituximab)

Overview
Rituxan, also known by its drug name, Rituximab, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. Rituxan is approved for treatment of moderate to severe rheuma... read more

Sandimmune (Cyclosporine)

Overview
Sandimmune is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1983 to help prevent organ rejection in people who have received transplants. More recently, Sandimmune ha... read more

Simponi (Golimumab)

Overview

Simponi, also known by its drug name, Golimumab, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Simp... read more

Supplements

Overview

Like everyone else, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) feel their best when they receive nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in proper proportions. Due to disease activity and the side effect... read more

Synovectomy

Overview

The synovium is a very thin layer of cells that lines each joint. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the synovium can become inflamed, causing overgrowth, pain and swelling. In turn, the inflamed synoviu... read more

Tendon repair

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can weaken tendons, causing tearing. You may not notice the damage at first, but it can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and joint dysfunction as it worsens. In severe cases... read more

Trexall (Methotrexate)

Overview

Trexall, also known as Methotrexate (drug name) and Rheumatrex (alternative brand name), is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 for treatment of rheu... read more

Tylenol (Acetaminophen)

Overview
Tylenol is available over the counter as treatment for minor aches and pains. Tylenol may be referred to by the drug name Acetaminophen.

Tylenol is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fe... read more

Voltaren (Diclofenac)

Overview
Voltaren is a prescription medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Voltaren ... read more

Xeljanz (Tofacitinib)

Overview

Xeljanz is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have not responded adequately to Methotrexate. ... read more