Information for GPs
The Interface Pharmacist Network has developed shared care guidelines for GPs covering many of the immunosuppressant therapies used to manage a variety of rheumatic disorders. These are available for download:
Shared Care Guidance – Interface Pharmacist Network Specialist Medicines
The Versus Arthritis website publish specific drug information for patients receiving treatment for rheumatic disorders. These often form the basis of educating patients about the drug therapies proposed by Dr Meenagh.
Abatacept
Drugs for arthritis - Abatacept – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy used for a number of types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Adalimumab
Drugs for arthritis - Adalimumab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biologic therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Amitryptiline
Drugs for arthritis - Amitriptyline – Versus Arthritis
A treatment often used to improve sleep disturbance and may also have impact on pain levels. Sometimes used to help patients with fibromyalgia.
Azathioprine
Drugs for arthritis - Azathioprine – Versus Arthritis
Another drug with a suppressant effect on the immune system. Sometimes used to help reduce the dose of steroid therapy taken by patients with chronic forms of arthritis and connective tissue disease.
Baricitinib
Drugs for arthritis - Baricitinib – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of advanced therapy within the JAK inhibitor class of drugs. It is licensed for use in inflammatory arthritis when conventional therapies have failed.
Belimumab
Drugs for arthritis - Belimumab – Versus Arthritis
A form of biological therapy licensed for use in the setting of very severe lupus
Certolizumab Pegol
Drugs for arthritis - Certolizumab pegol – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Colchicine
Drugs for arthritis - Colchicine – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of tablet treatment given to treat an acute attack of gout
Cyclophosphamide
Drugs for arthritis - Cyclophosphamide – Versus Arthritis
A potent drug which suppresses the immune system and often used to control serious forms of arthritis, connective tissue disorders or patients with vasculitis.
Etanercept
Drugs for arthritis - Etanercept – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Febuxostat
Drugs for arthritis - Febuxostat – Versus Arthritis
This is a urate lowering therapy used to control recurrent gout attacks in the long term
Golimumab
Drugs for arthritis - Golimumab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Hydroxychloroquine
Drugs for arthritis - Hydroxychloroquine – Versus Arthritis
This drug has a weak immunosuppressant effect but may work in conditions like lupus and, in conjunction with other therapies, to control serious arthritis. It is also conventionally used as a treatment for malaria worldwide.
Iloprost
Drugs for arthritis - Iloprost – Versus Arthritis
An intravenous drug which improves blood flow peripherally in rare conditions like raynaud’s disease when symptoms are severe.
Infliximab
Drugs for arthritis - Infliximab (Anti-TNF) – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed.
Ixekizumab
Drugs for arthritis - Ixekizumab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Leflunomide
Drugs for arthritis - Leflunomide – Versus Arthritis
One of the standard drugs used to reduce inflammation and pain in various types of serious arthritis. This is one of the disease modifying agents in rheumatic disease (DMARD). It is given daily usually.
Local Steroid Injection
Drugs for arthritis - Local steroid injections – Versus Arthritis
Frequently used a means of reducing pain and swelling of joints, tendons and soft tissues. It involves local anaesthetic and steroid injected to the site of symptoms and comes with few major side effects. It is often very effective although long-term benefits may be difficult to predict.
Methotrexate
Drugs for arthritis - Methotrexate – Versus Arthritis
One of the standard drugs used to reduce inflammation and pain in various types of serious arthritis. This is one of the disease modifying agents in rheumatic disease (DMARD). It is given weekly along with folic acid supplementation.
Mycophenolate
Drugs for arthritis - Mycophenolate – Versus Arthritis
Sometimes used as an alternative to conventional DMARD therapy and more specifically in rare connective tissue disorders with multiple organ involvement
Painkillers and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Drugs for arthritis - Painkillers and NSAIDs – Versus Arthritis
Commonly prescribed by GPs to control pain and swelling in joints and soft tissues. Can be associated with various side effects and probably unsafe in patients with serious heart disease.
Rituximab
Drugs for arthritis - Rituximab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed. This drug is often used once other biologic agents have failed and is given intravenously.
Secukinumab
Drugs for arthritis - Secukinumab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed
Steroid Tablets
Drugs for arthritis - Steroids – Versus Arthritis
Sometimes used to control inflammation rapidly and for a short period. Side effects can be problematic if given in the longer term and therefore need to be given with guidance from a specialist.
Sulfasalazine
Drugs for arthritis - Sulfasalazine – Versus Arthritis
One of the standard drugs used to reduce inflammation and pain in various types of serious arthritis. This is one of the disease modifying agents in rheumatic disease (DMARD). It is given in a daily regime usually.
Tocilizumab
Drugs for arthritis - Tocilizumab – Versus Arthritis
This is a form of biological therapy. It is licensed for several types of arthritis in appropriate patients once conventional treatments have failed. This drug is often used once other biologic agents have failed and is given either intravenously or subcutaneously.