New Arthritis Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis and OsteoarthritisArthritis treatments aim to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and slow or stop joint damage to maintain or restore the patient's functional ability and quality of life. Arthritis therapies generally used today address the medical needs of many patients. However, these therapies are occasionally associated with harmful side effects ranging from mild to severe. Medical research continues to search for effective, fast-acting treatments with fewer side effects. New arthritis drugs designed to meet these treatment needs are presently available or awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The foundation for these new drugs was laid in basic biomedical research supported by the National Institutes of Health. Biological Response Modifiers for Rheumatoid ArthritisDescription: One class of drugs in this category reduces inflammation in the joints by blocking the action of a substance called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is a protein of the body's immune system that triggers inflammation during normal immune responses; however, when overproduced, TNF can lead to excessive inflammation such as that experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Enbrel® (etanercept) How taken: twice-weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injections by the patient or health care provider Most common side effects: mild to moderate injection-site reactions (itching, pain, swelling) Drug status: approved by the FDA; not recommended for patients with active infections; caution should be used in patients with a history of infections or those who develop new infections while taking Enbrel®; not recommended for pregnant women. Remicade® (infliximab) How taken: intravenous (in the vein) injections by the health care provider once every 8 weeks Most common side effects: mild infusion reactions Drug status: approved by the FDA for use in combination with methotrexate; not recommended for pregnant women Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) for Rheumatoid ArthritisDescription: These are the mainstay arthritis drugs that are known to relieve painful, swollen joints and to slow joint damage. Arava® (leflunomide) How taken: orally, once daily Most common side effects: diarrhea, hair loss, rash Drug status: approved by the FDA; not recommended for pregnant women Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Specifically Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibitors, for Rheumatoid Arthritis and OsteoarthritisDescription: COX-2 inhibitors, like traditional NSAIDs, block COX-2, an enzyme in the body known to stimulate an inflammatory response. Unlike traditional NSAIDs, however, they do not block the action of COX-1, an enzyme known to protect the stomach lining. Therefore, drugs in this category reduce joint pain and inflammation with reduced risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. Celebrex® (celecoxib) for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis How taken: orally once or twice daily, dosage determined by the physician Most common side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea Drug status: approved by the FDA Vioxx® (rofecoxib) for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as acute pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and postsurgical pain How taken: orally, once daily Most common side effects: abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, insomnia, edema Drug status: approved by the FDA Other ProductsHyalgan® (hyaluronan) Description: Hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation products for osteoarthritis. These products mimic a naturally occurring substance in the body called hyaluronic acid by providing lubrication to the knee joint, thus permitting flexible joint movement without pain. How taken: a series of five injections per knee by a health care provider over 4 weeks Most common side effects: some pain and swelling at the injection site Drug status: approved by the FDA Synvisc® (hylan G-F20) How taken: a series of three injections per knee by a health care provider over a 15-day period Most common side effects: some pain and swelling at the injection site Drug status: approved by the FDA Prosorba Column® (apheresis) Description: Blood filtering device for severe rheumatoid arthritis. This device is designed to remove harmful antibodies from the patient's immune system, thus lowering disease activity associated with severe rheumatoid arthritis. How used: The device consists of a catheter, tubing, and a column. The catheter and tubing are used to filter the patient's blood through the column (which is coated with protein A, a substance that attracts harmful antibodies), then reinfuse it into the patient's body. The procedure takes 2 hours and is performed weekly at a health care facility for 12 weeks. Most common side effects: flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, nausea, and joint/muscle pain) Drug status: approved by the FDA Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, March 2000 |
 
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