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
