A 66-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis
A 66-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) visited her community pharmacy for an annual medication therapy management appointment. After talking with the patient about the medications she was taking for several comorbid conditions, including ischemic heart disease and hypertension, the pharmacist asked how she was doing on her RA therapy. Since her diagnosis of RA 7 years earlier, the patient had responded well to methotrexate, a standard first-line synthetic DMARD, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. However, over the past year, she had experienced more severe RA symptoms and impaired physical function. Based on recent tests that indicated progressive joint inflammation and damage, the patient’s rheumatologist prescribed a new biologic therapy, to be used in combination with methotrexate. Expressing an interest in learning more about the management of her disease, the patient asked the pharmacist about current RA treatment strategies and therapy alternatives.
Management Strategies and Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis?