Drugs Used in Disorders of the Joints
Robin Brain
December 04, 2008
It is effective in arresting the disease's progress. Injectable gold is given as 50 mg deep intramuscularly once a week.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It has high toxicity such as fall in blood pressure, eczema, kidney damage, nerve and liver damage. Therefore it is to be taken under strict medical supervision.
Methotrexate (Neotrexate 2.5 mg)
It is frequently used to prevent joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis in a dose of 7.5 mg to 15 mg per week given in equal divided doses on alternate days.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It should not be taken immediately after meals. Prolonged use of methotrexate may cause liver damage and recurrent infections of lungs.
Leflunomide (Lefra 10mg, 20mg)
It is a new drug which changes the function of special white blood cell (T lymphocyte) so that it does not make harmful chemicals against joint-membranes. It is used as 100mg daily for 3 days and then 20mg once a day. It may cause diarrhoea, headache, skin rash, loss of hair and fall in white cell count.
Azathioprine (Imuran)
This drug suppresses swelling and pain indirectly by affecting T cell function and is considered to be useful in reducing the dose of glucocorticoids which have higher toxicity.
Other Drugs
Chloroquine (Resochin), Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin) and d-penicillamine (Cilamin) are other drugs.
Gout
Gout is a disease of metabolism. There is over production of uric acid in body which deposited in joints. The most common joint involved is big toe joint. Typically pain is gets severe and associated with swelling. Patient is not able to sleep. The disease tends to recur and affects bigger joints.
Drugs for Acute Gout
Indomethacin, naproxen or piroxicam can be used for pain relief. These drugs may take a few hours to take full effect. The drug of choice is colchicine an alkaloid from the plant colchicum autumnale. One mg of colchicine is taken initially and then 0.25 is taken every 2 hours, till 1 to 2 mg total dose is taken. The effect is dramatic and occurs quickly in 4 to 8 hours. The adverse effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Drugs for Chronic Gout
Allopurinol (Zyloric 100 mg)
This drug decreases formation of uric acid so blood uric acid levels and their deposition on joint-membrances are reduced. Usual dose is 100mg three times a day.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: Allergic reactions, headache, dizziness and muscle pains may occur. Fluid and water should be taken more during drug treatment. It should not be given during pregnancy and breast feeding. There are some drugs whose effects may be changed by allopurinol so inform your doctor about taking medicines.
Probenecil (Benecid)
It acts on kidneys to increase removal of uric acid in urine. Its usual dose is 500mg two times, a day. It is well tolerated but some times epigastric pain and allergy can occur. Other drugs used are sulfupyrazone and oxypurinol.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It may change the excretion of other drugs such as penicillin, cephalosporin and indomethacin (excretion reduced). It also decreases excretion of rifampicin in bile.
Get more information on Generic Names for Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It has high toxicity such as fall in blood pressure, eczema, kidney damage, nerve and liver damage. Therefore it is to be taken under strict medical supervision.
Methotrexate (Neotrexate 2.5 mg)
It is frequently used to prevent joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis in a dose of 7.5 mg to 15 mg per week given in equal divided doses on alternate days.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It should not be taken immediately after meals. Prolonged use of methotrexate may cause liver damage and recurrent infections of lungs.
Leflunomide (Lefra 10mg, 20mg)
It is a new drug which changes the function of special white blood cell (T lymphocyte) so that it does not make harmful chemicals against joint-membranes. It is used as 100mg daily for 3 days and then 20mg once a day. It may cause diarrhoea, headache, skin rash, loss of hair and fall in white cell count.
Azathioprine (Imuran)
This drug suppresses swelling and pain indirectly by affecting T cell function and is considered to be useful in reducing the dose of glucocorticoids which have higher toxicity.
Other Drugs
Chloroquine (Resochin), Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin) and d-penicillamine (Cilamin) are other drugs.
Gout
Gout is a disease of metabolism. There is over production of uric acid in body which deposited in joints. The most common joint involved is big toe joint. Typically pain is gets severe and associated with swelling. Patient is not able to sleep. The disease tends to recur and affects bigger joints.
Drugs for Acute Gout
Indomethacin, naproxen or piroxicam can be used for pain relief. These drugs may take a few hours to take full effect. The drug of choice is colchicine an alkaloid from the plant colchicum autumnale. One mg of colchicine is taken initially and then 0.25 is taken every 2 hours, till 1 to 2 mg total dose is taken. The effect is dramatic and occurs quickly in 4 to 8 hours. The adverse effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Drugs for Chronic Gout
Allopurinol (Zyloric 100 mg)
This drug decreases formation of uric acid so blood uric acid levels and their deposition on joint-membrances are reduced. Usual dose is 100mg three times a day.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: Allergic reactions, headache, dizziness and muscle pains may occur. Fluid and water should be taken more during drug treatment. It should not be given during pregnancy and breast feeding. There are some drugs whose effects may be changed by allopurinol so inform your doctor about taking medicines.
Probenecil (Benecid)
It acts on kidneys to increase removal of uric acid in urine. Its usual dose is 500mg two times, a day. It is well tolerated but some times epigastric pain and allergy can occur. Other drugs used are sulfupyrazone and oxypurinol.
Adverse Effects and Precautions: It may change the excretion of other drugs such as penicillin, cephalosporin and indomethacin (excretion reduced). It also decreases excretion of rifampicin in bile.
Get more information on Generic Names for Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.
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