DMARDs
DMARDs
DMARDs (pronounced: dee-mards), an acronym for Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, are a category of drugs primarily used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
Etymology
The term DMARDs is derived from its full form, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs. The term "antirheumatic" refers to any medication or treatment that can prevent or alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic diseases, which are conditions that cause chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue.
Types of DMARDs
DMARDs are classified into two main types: traditional DMARDs and biologic DMARDs.
- Traditional DMARDs: These include drugs such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide. They work by suppressing the body's immune system, thus reducing inflammation and slowing down the progression of the disease.
- Biologic DMARDs: These are a newer class of DMARDs and include drugs such as etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, and golimumab. They work by targeting specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation and slow down the progression of the disease.
Related Terms
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
- Inflammatory Arthritis: A group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the joints and often other tissues.
- Methotrexate: A medication used in treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
- Hydroxychloroquine: A medication used for prevention and treatment of certain types of malaria and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Sulfasalazine: A DMARD used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
- Leflunomide: A DMARD used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and to slow the progression of the disease.
- Etanercept: A biologic DMARD used to treat autoimmune diseases.
- Infliximab: A biologic DMARD used to treat autoimmune diseases.
- Adalimumab: A biologic DMARD used to treat a variety of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
- Certolizumab: A biologic DMARD used to treat various autoimmune diseases.
- Golimumab: A biologic DMARD used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on DMARDs
- Wikipedia's article - DMARDs
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