DMARDs
DMARDs
What are Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) used for?
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs address the underlying mechanisms that cause inflammation and arthritis.
The most commonly used DMARD is Methotrexate. It is important to note that the doses that we talking about here for the treatment of arthritis are a fraction of those that are used to treat certain forms of cancer.
It is also important to note that DMARDs have a slow onset of effect and may take six to twelve weeks to reach their maximum potential. It is therefore important for individuals to persevere with treatment.
For a large proportion of persons affected by arthritis, DMARDs are sufficient to adequately control disease. However, for a proportion of people, we need to move on to biologic treatments.
Confirming diagnosis

Initial GP visit

Key questions & history taking

Piecing the symptoms together

Referral to rheumatologist

Visiting Physio or GP

Other therapies

What is a rheumatologist?

Preparing for first consultation

Questions rheumatologists will ask

Tests rheumatologists may conduct

Your online research

Rheumatologists can help

Tips and suggestions

Living well with arthritis

Next steps after diagnosis

Reaction to diagnosis

Finding a supportive environment

Working to achieve your goals

Working with your rheumatologist

Developing a working relationship

Treatment management

Personalising treatment plans

Lifestyle management sleep & smoking

Lifestyle management exercise

What is adherence

Exercise

Finding the right treatment

Understanding side effects

Side effects vs benefits

Risk of avoiding medications

Importance of monitoring side effects

Considering the immune system

NSAIDs

Immediate treatment

Introduction to methotrexate

Methotrexate compared with chemotherapy

Methotrexate early side effects

DMARDs

Introduction to biological treatment

Ankylosing spondylitis & biologics

Moving to biological treatment

Biologics are they for you?

Finding the best biological treatment

Changing biologics

Biologics

Early treatment

Treatment disease modifying drugs

Customised treatment

Other treatment options biologics

Treating AS

Treating PsA
