Rheum- RA Flashcards
Which group of meds is used in treatment of RA but not in the treatment of OA?
DMARDs
(Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs)
What are the 4 deformities of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Marked ulnar deviation
- Swan-neck deformity
- Active Synovitis
- Nodules
Goal of RA treatment:
- Early aggressive treatment to prevent what 2 things
irreversible joint damage and disability
Which RA patients can be treated with oral agents as monotherapy?
Patients w/ less active disease and good prognostic indicators
Which RA patients are candidates for combination therapy and biologics to suppress inflammation
Patients with high disease activity and/or poor prognostic features
Within how many months of the diagnosis of RA should DMARDs be started?
3 months
Which 2 meds should be considered adjunctive therapy to DMARDS early in the course of treatment of RA?
NSAIDS and/or corticosteroids
(needed if sxs are not adequately controlled w/ DMARDs)
Which med is first line tx for RA?
DMARDs either as monotherapy or in combination
***Methotrexate (DMARD) often chosen
What is important to monitor in a pt taking methotrexate? How will you know if they are deficient?
folic acid
will get stomatitis (mouth sores) if deficient
RA treatment options:
What is used in Early disease of high activity and presence of poor prognostic factors
Biologics
(ACR endorses use of anti-TNF biologics regardless of DMARD use)
RA treatment options:
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) now endorses the use of _______ biologics in patients regardless of previous DMARD use
anti-TNF BIologics
Which 2 biologic agents have proven effective for patients who fail treatment with other DMARDs
Anti-TNF (TNFi) and non-TNF biologic agents (B cell inhibitors, IL-inhibitors, co-stimulation modifiers)
What are the 2 options if one DMARDs is ineffective or not adequately effective to induce response
- combination therapy with two or more DMARDs
- DMARD plus biologic agent may be used (ex: Methotrexate + Infliximab)
T/F: Methotrexate is less effective than biologic monotherapy
FALSE
Methotrexate is more effective
Why is Infliximab given in combo w/ Methotrexate?
to prevent development of infliximab antibodies that may reduce drug efficacy or induce allergic reactions.
Non Biologic RA combination treatment examples:
Initial combo therapy w/ either:
- Methotrexate with _____
- Sulfasalazine plus ______
- Infliximab plus ______
- Methotrexate with etanercept
- Sulfasalazine plus prednisone
- Infliximab plus methotrexate
For patients with moderate-to-high RA disease activity, ACR recommends dual DMARD combinations of:
- methotrexate plus ________
- methotrexate plus ________
- methotrexate plus ________
Hydroxychloroquine
Leflunomide
Sulfasalazine
Non Biologic Combination Treatment Examples:
ACR recommends a triple combination of …..
Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine
Methotrexate:
Results as early as how long?
2-3 weeks
MOA of Methotrexate:
- **Inhibits ______ production, inhibits _______biosynthesis, and may stimulate release of adenosine–leads to its antiinflammatory properties
- Cytotoxic to rapidly dividing immune cells due to inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase
Inhibits cytokine** production, inhibits **purine biosynthesis
Which non-biologic DMARD is a folic acid antagonist- leading to deficiency? What could you give with it to reduce this adverse rxn?
Methotrexate
may be given w/ folic acid 1-5mg/week
What are the 6 contraindications of Methotrexate?
- Pregnancy-teratogenic and nursing women
- Chronic liver disease
- Immunodeficiency
- Pleural or peritoneal effusions
- Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia,
- CrCl <40ml/min
Toxicities of which med? Which may you see first?
–GI-N/V/D
–hematologic-thrombocytopenia
–pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonitis
–hepatic-elevated liver enzymes
–Stomatitis
Methotrexate
may see stomatitis first
If you have a patient take Methotrexate and they develop stomatits, what does this mean?
Folate deficiency