Drugs to treat RA/Gout Flashcards
What three types of drugs are used to treat the acute joint pain in RA?
NSAIDS
Analgesics
Glucocorticoids
Provides symptomatic relief only
What two class of drugs used in the treatment of RA inhibit the progression of the disease?
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS)
Biologic Response Modifiers (BRM)
What is the purpose of using NSAIDS, analgesics, and glucocorticoids in RA?
Minimize symptomatic effects while waiting for clinical effects of slow acting DMARDS and BRMs.
Used for ACUTE joint pain
List three analgesics used in the treatment of acute RA
Acetaminophen
Capsaicin
Opioids
List the four DMARDS.
hydroxychloroquine
sulfasalazine
methotrexate
leflunomide
Nonspecific inhibitors of the immune system
Name three anti-TNF drugs used in the treatment of RA
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Infliximab
Name two anti-cytokine drugs used in the treatment of RA
anakinra
tocilizumab
Name a drug used in the treatment of RA that inhibits T cells
abatacept
Name a drug used in the treatment of RA that inhibits B cells
Rituximab
Name a chemical inhibitor of cytokine signaling used in the treatment of RA
Tofacitinib
How long does it take before DMARDs are effective against RA?
slow acting
Takes weeks to months to show efficacy
What is the most commonly used DMARD?
Methotrexate
Name 5 of the less frequently used DMARDS in the treatment of RA
Azathioprine D-Penicillinamine Gold Salts Cyclosporine Cyclophosphamide
What type of RA may be treated with hydroxycholoquine
Mild arthritis
Is hydroxychloroquine safe in pregnancy and lactation?
Yes
List a rare/serious side effect of hydroxychloroquine
Ocular toxicity–> can result in total blindness
Increased risk with age > 60, treatment > 5 years and high doses
Is sulfasalazine safe to use during pregnancy
Yes
What are adverse effects associated with sulfasalazine?
Agranulocytosis within 2 weeks (very rare)
Hepatotoxicity (fully reversible)
What is the time to effect of hydroxychloroquine?
3-6 months
What is the time to effect of sulfasalazine?
1-3 months
What is the MOA of sulfasalazine?
Unclear- thought to interfere with immune system activation through NF-kappa B
What is the active component of sulfasalazine?
sulfapyridine
Is sulfasalazine administrated as a monotherapy?
NO- generally given with hydroxychloraquine
What is the drug of choice for patients with active/severe RA?
Methotrexate
What is the effect of methotrexate in RA?
Reduces the rate of new bone erosions
How long does it take for the effects of methotrexate to begin?
4-6 months
What is the low dose MOA of methotrexate (as opposed to high dose MOA for cancer tx)
indirectly increases production of adenosine –> immunosuppressive properties
Why do patients on methotrexate need to avoid alcohol?
Methotrexate commonly causes dose-related hepatotoxicity
List three rare side effects of methotrexate that requires clinical monitering
Pulmonary toxicity
Bone marrow suppression
Risk of lymphoma
What is the metabolism of methotrexate?
80-90% excreted renally
Is methotrexate safe in pregnancy?
NO- it is actually used an as abortifactant
Methotrexate is contraindicated in patients with which two underlying diseases?
Liver disease
Renal impairment