What medications are good for treating rheumatoid arthritis?

Sep 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Tiesheng

Introduction

In general, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by erosive, symmetrical polyarthritis as its main clinical manifestation. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as methotrexate tablets, leflunomide tablets, hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, and adalimumab injection for treatment.

Generally, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by erosive, symmetrical polyarthritis. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as methotrexate tablets, leflunomide tablets, hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, and adalimumab injection for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Methotrexate Tablets

Methotrexate is a commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. It interferes with purine and pyrimidine synthesis by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, thereby reducing immune cell proliferation and inflammatory factor release. This helps delay joint cartilage and bone destruction, control disease progression, and serves as one of the foundational medications in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

2. Leflunomide Tablets

Leflunomide inhibits the key enzyme involved in pyrimidine synthesis, preventing immune cell activation and proliferation. It reduces joint inflammatory responses and, with long-term use, improves joint function and lowers disease activity. It is suitable for patients who are intolerant to methotrexate or have inadequate response to it.

3. Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tablets

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate modulates immune system function, inhibits autoantibody production and immune complex formation, reduces inflammation, and alleviates joint pain and swelling. It also shows some improvement in skin and mucosal lesions caused by rheumatoid arthritis. With high safety profile, it is suitable for long-term adjunctive therapy.

4. Diclofenac Sodium Sustained-Release Tablets

Diclofenac sodium belongs to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It inhibits cyclooxygenase activity, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, rapidly relieving inflammatory symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It serves as a symptomatic treatment drug, improving patients' daily activity capacity, but cannot prevent joint structural damage.

5. Adalimumab Injection

Adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor antagonist. By specifically binding to tumor necrosis factor, it blocks inflammation mediated by this factor, effectively reducing joint inflammation, delaying bone erosion, and improving joint function. It is suitable for patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, particularly showing significant effects in those with inadequate response to conventional antirheumatic drugs.

Maintain good lifestyle habits in daily life, avoid excessive fatigue and joint chilling, and reduce weight-bearing joint activities. Maintain a balanced diet, consuming more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as soy products, leafy vegetables, and fish.

View All

What are the top three best medications for treating rheumatoid arthritis?

Generally speaking, there is no single best medication for treating rheumatoid arthritis; the appropriate drug should be selected based on individual病情. Commonly used medications include methotrexate tablets, leflunomide tablets, adalimumab injection, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and hydroxychloroquine tablets. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a doctor in advance. Methotrexate tablets belong to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

View Full Answer

How is rheumatic arthritis treated?

In general, the treatment of rheumatic arthritis mainly includes conservative management, medication, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and surgical intervention. Additionally, during treatment, patients should follow their doctor's instructions for regular follow-up visits to monitor disease progression; maintain a regular作息 (daily routine) and balanced diet, avoiding excessive fatigue; and seek timely medical attention to adjust the treatment plan if symptoms such as increased joint pain or significant swelling occur.

View Full Answer

What does high ferritin indicate?

Under normal circumstances, ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Elevated ferritin levels may indicate various conditions, such as long-term excessive iron supplementation, overconsumption of iron-rich foods, alcoholic liver disease, hemochromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. If abnormalities are detected, it is recommended to promptly visit a正规 hospital for medical evaluation and testing. In daily life, iron supplementation should be done appropriately, avoiding blind medication use.