RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-MANAGEMENT (OTHER NON BIOLOGIC DMARDs)

SUMMARY

1. Leflunomide: pyrimidine antagonist and may be used as an initial DMARD in patients unable to take MTX. SE: diarrhea, respiratory infections, hepatotoxicity, teratogenicity.

2. Hydroxychloroquine. SE: retinopathy, patients require baseline optometry prior to commencing the drug.

3. Sulfasalazine. SE: sulfa-allergic reactions, myelosuppression, GI disturbance.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].