Medication Information

WHAT ARE DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS?

• DMARDs work to suppress the body's overactive immune and/or inflammatory systems. They take effect over weeks or months and are not designed to provide immediate relief of symptoms.

• Other medicines, such as pain relievers, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen or naproxen), and, sometimes, prednisone, are given to provide faster relief of ongoing symptoms. DMARDs are often used in combination with these medications to reduce the total amount of medication needed and to prevent damage to joints

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Common DMARDS

• Methotrexate 

• Sulfasalazine 

• Hydroxychloroquine 

• Leflunomide

• Azathioprine

What are Biologic Drugs?

Biologics  are special types of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD).

Biologics are  genetically engineered proteins that target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. 

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More information on Biologics

Before starting at Biologic

• You will need to get a chest xray to rule out tuberculosis

• Blood test looking at serology for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, and varicella zoster virus 

• Please bring in all your Vaccination records as you may require boosters or additional vaccinations prior to starting on your biologic medication.

• Please make sure you are up to date with all your preventive health checks prior to starting biologic (eg. annual skin check, Pap smear and dental check)