Your body's immune system, the defense system that protects you from disease, sometimes mistakenly starts attacking your own healthy cells. This condition is called an autoimmune disease. Only those who have suffered from it know how difficult it is to live with the joint pain, swelling, and stiffness that it causes. So, has your doctor prescribed you a type of medication called DMARDs? Or have you heard of them? Today, let's talk about what these DMARDs are, how they work, and what you need to know about them.
What are DMARDs? Simply put...
DMARDs stand for Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs . While the name sounds a bit complicated, the work is actually quite simple. These are special medications that stop your immune system from becoming overactive and damaging your own body.
Think of your immune system as an army defending a country. Normally, this army only attacks foreign enemies (germs). But in an autoimmune disease, this army goes astray and attacks innocent people in its own country (healthy tissues in the body). What DMARDs do is calm down this overactive army and get it working properly again.
The main benefits you get from this medicine are:
- It reduces inflammation in the body, which means swelling, redness, and pain.
- Relieves pain.
- Slows down the spread or severity of the disease.
- Reduces or prevents damage to your bones and joints caused by the disease.
- Helps maintain good joint function.
What diseases are DMARDs used for?
Doctors mainly use DMARDs to control various autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation. You may have heard of some of these.
| Name of the disease (Condition) | A brief introduction |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | A common condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | A type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine. |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | Psoriasis is a type of arthritis that occurs in some people with psoriasis. |
| Lupus | A disease that can affect various organs such as the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain. |
| Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis | Arthritis in children under the age of 16. |
| Scleroderma | A disease whose main characteristic is hardening and thickening of the skin. |
| Multiple Sclerosis | A disease of the nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. |
In addition, DMARDs are also rarely used for some types of cancer and for uveitis, an inflammatory condition of the eye that has not responded to other treatments.
What types of DMARDs are there?
DMARDs can be divided into two main categories.
1. Traditional DMARDs
These are the first type of DMARDs to be discovered. These medications work by generally calming the entire immune system . Because they have relatively few side effects, your doctor is likely to prescribe this type of medication first. These are often taken as a pill.
Some examples:
- `Azathioprine`
- `Hydroxychloroquine`
- `Leflunomide`
- `Methotrexate`
- `Sulfasalazine`
2. Biological DMARDs (Biologics)
These are new, advanced drugs. They are like snipers. They target and attack only the specific immune cells that are causing the problem , rather than affecting the entire immune system like traditional DMARDs.
These are usually more potent and more effective than traditional DMARDs. However, they also carry a slightly higher risk of side effects. If you don't get better with traditional medications, your doctor may decide to start you on this type of medication as the next step.
These are often given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, or as a subcutaneous self-injection. If you need to use such an injection, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give it safely and correctly.
Do DMARDs have side effects?
Like any medicine, DMARDs can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. These may vary depending on the type of medicine you receive.
Important: Don't be alarmed by reading about these side effects. Your doctor will carefully weigh the risks and benefits before prescribing this medication. He or she will also educate you on how to manage any problems that may arise.
| Type of side effect | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects common to both types of medication | |
| Increased risk of infection | Because it reduces immunity, infections such as colds and flu can easily develop (this risk is higher with biologics). |
| Decreased blood cells | There may be a decrease in white blood cells (leukopenia), red blood cells (anemia), or platelets (thrombocytopenia). |
| Elevated liver enzymes | This can be detected through blood tests. |
| Side effects specific to traditional DMARDs | |
| Digestive system problems | Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea. |
| Skin problems | Skin rash. |
| Side effects specific to biologics | |
| Emergence of hidden infections | Infections such as tuberculosis and herpes, which have been dormant in the body after previously being cured, can resurface. |
| Other | Increased cholesterol levels, increased risk of blood clots, redness or swelling at the injection site. |
How quickly does this medicine start working?
Here's a problem that many people have. DMARDs are not a type of medication that you just take and feel good about, like a painkiller. These medications can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or more to calm the immune system and control symptoms.
Therefore, don't stop taking the medication just because you don't feel much difference in the first few weeks. It's very important to be patient and continue using the medication as your doctor tells you.
When do you need to see your doctor again?
After you start DMARDs, your doctor will need to see you at regular intervals to check if the medication is working and if there are any side effects. You may need to have some tests done during this time.
- Blood tests: Check if the medication is working, if the liver is affected, and if blood cell levels are normal.
- Test for infections: Check for hidden infections, especially if you are taking biologics.
- Imaging tests such as X-rays: See how damage to the joints changes over time.
If you notice any new side effects, if your symptoms get worse, or if the medicine doesn't seem to be working as well as it used to, tell your doctor right away.
DMARDs can seem a little complicated at first. There are many types of medications, and many different names. But don't worry. Your doctor will help you choose the combination of medications that best suits your condition, gives the best results, and has the fewest side effects. Don't hesitate to ask him or her any questions you may have.
Take-Home Message
- DMARDs are a special type of medication that is used to treat autoimmune diseases. They work by calming your immune system.
- These medications don't work instantly like painkillers. It can take weeks or months to see results. So be patient and continue using them.
- Some people, though not everyone, may experience side effects. Therefore, it is essential to maintain regular contact with your doctor.
- Never change the prescribed dosage or stop taking medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- If you have any questions about your medication or illness, ask your doctor.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment