What medication can control bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis?
Dec 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
Core medications for controlling bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis include conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, targeted synthetic DMARDs, glucocorticoids, and bisphosphonates. Specific treatment regimens should be determined by a physician based on the individual patient's condition; do not purchase or adjust medication doses on your own. As foundational therapy to slow bone destruction, methotrexate tablets are commonly used.
The core medications for controlling bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis include conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, targeted synthetic DMARDs, glucocorticoids, bisphosphonates, and others. Specific treatment regimens should be determined by a physician based on individual conditions; do not purchase or adjust medication doses on your own.
1. Conventional synthetic DMARDs: Used as foundational therapy to slow down bone destruction. Commonly prescribed medications include methotrexate tablets and leflunomide tablets. These require long-term, regular use, with periodic monitoring of liver and kidney function and blood counts during treatment.
2. Biologic agents: Specifically target and inhibit inflammatory factors to reduce bone damage, such as adalimumab injection and etanercept injection. They act quickly but must be used only after screening for potential infection risks.
3. Targeted synthetic DMARDs: Newer medications that precisely act on pathological targets, such as tocilizumab injection and baricitinib tablets. These are suitable for patients who respond poorly to conventional therapies.
4. Glucocorticoids: Provide potent, short-term control of inflammation and help reduce bone destruction, such as prednisone tablets and dexamethasone tablets. Long-term, high-dose use is not recommended; dosage should be gradually tapered to avoid adverse effects.
5. Bisphosphonates: Help protect bone tissue and reduce bone resorption, such as alendronate sodium tablets and zoledronic acid injection. These can be combined with antirheumatic drugs to enhance bone protection.
In daily life, keep joints warm and avoid cold exposure, perform moderate joint exercises to maintain flexibility, maintain a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, avoid excessive fatigue and reduce joint loading, and maintain a positive mindset to support standardized treatment.
