Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs DMARDs

Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)... 

Unfortunately, a substantial proportion of patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases have become refractory to NSAIDs, and/or oral or intravenous Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). However, oral combinations of DMARDs generate better outcomes compared to single drug therapy in autoimmune disease. Even autoimmune diseases can become refractory to oral DMARD combinations. 

Hematologic In a postmarketing Swedish cohort study (n = 820) the incidence of hematological disorders in patients treated with etanercept was 3.4 per 1000 patient-years [106 ]. However, half of these patients were using at least one other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), in most cases methotrexate, and attribution was not clear. 

DMARD = disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. 

FIGURE 89-4. Algorithm for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. RA, rheumatoid arthritis NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Rx, therapy DMARD, disease-modifying anti rheumatic drug. 

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