Psoriatic Arthritis treatments: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Anakinra is a Disease modifying antirheumatic drug that belongs to the group of medicines which are known as Interleukin-1 antagonists.

How does it work?

Anakinra blocks the action of a protein called interleukin-1 (IL-1).

IL-1 is one of the substances involved in causing inflammation in the body. By blocking it, anakinra can reduce inflammation and help improve symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness.

Who can have anakinra?

In the UK, anakinra is licensed to treat:

• rheumatoid arthritis in adults when methotrexate alone has not worked well enough
• some rare inflammatory conditions
• Still's disease, including systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still's disease.

Your specialist will decide whether anakinra is suitable for you.

If you have both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, your rheumatology team will consider both conditions when choosing treatment.

How is it used?

Anakinra is usually given as an injection under the skin once a day.

Kineret comes in a pre-filled syringe. Your healthcare professional can show you how to give the injection yourself.

The usual injection sites are:

• the front of the thighs
• the abdomen, avoiding the area around the navel.

Try to use a different area each time to help prevent soreness.

Someone else, such as a carer or healthcare professional, can give the injection if necessary.

The usual dose for rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg once a day, but the dose can be different for other conditions.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, anakinra can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Injection-site reactions

The most common side effect is a reaction where the injection is given.

You may notice:

• redness
• swelling
• bruising
• itching
• pain or soreness.

These reactions are usually mild and tend to be most noticeable during the first few weeks of treatment. They often become less troublesome as treatment continues.

Infections

Because anakinra affects the immune system, it can make you more likely to develop an infection.

Contact your doctor if you develop symptoms of an infection, such as a high temperature, persistent cough or feeling generally unwell.

Anakinra should not normally be started if you have an active infection.

Changes in your blood count

Anakinra can sometimes reduce the number of white blood cells that help your body fight infections.

You will normally have blood tests before treatment and regularly during treatment to check your blood count and make sure the medicine is safe for you.

Other possible side effects

Other side effects can include:

• headache
• nausea
• skin rash
• increased cholesterol levels
• changes in liver blood tests.

If you develop unusual or persistent symptoms while taking anakinra, tell your doctor or specialist nurse.

How do I get it?

Anakinra is a prescription-only medicine. Treatment is normally started and monitored by a specialist.

You will need regular appointments and blood tests to check how well the treatment is working and whether it is causing any problems.

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Anakinra is known commercially as Kineret and is marketed in the UK by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Ltd

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/ANA/PAT/09/26

Azathioprine is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant which belongs to the group of drugs known as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. It is used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis

How does it work?

Azathioprine reduces the activity of the immune system by interfering with the production and growth of certain cells, including some white blood cells.

This can help reduce inflammation and the immune system's attack on healthy tissues.

Azathioprine does not work immediately. It can take several weeks or months before the full benefit of treatment is seen. It can also have a steroid-sparing effect, meaning that it may sometimes allow the dose of a corticosteroid to be reduced.

Because azathioprine suppresses the immune system, it can also reduce the body's ability to fight infections. It can affect the bone marrow, which is why regular blood tests are needed during treatment.

Who can get it?

Azathioprine can be prescribed for adults and children for a number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

It is not one of the main standard DMARDs recommended by NICE for routine treatment of psoriatic arthritis. However, azathioprine may be prescribed by a specialist for particular inflammatory or autoimmune conditions when they consider it appropriate.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, your rheumatology team will choose treatment according to your symptoms, the joints affected, your other health conditions and previous treatments. NICE recommends standard DMARDs for peripheral arthritis and targeted treatments when appropriate.

How is it used?

Azathioprine is usually taken as tablets or an oral liquid once or twice a day, depending on the product and the dose prescribed.

The dose is individualised according to the condition being treated, body weight, response to treatment and other factors.

Your health care professional may start with a lower dose and increase it gradually. People with liver or kidney problems, and older people, may need particular care when the dose is selected.

Regular blood tests are important while taking azathioprine. These are used to check your blood cells and liver function and to make sure the medicine is not causing harmful effects.

Your healthcare professional may also check whether you have certain genetic differences, such as TPMT or NUDT15 deficiency, which can increase the risk of serious blood-related side effects. The results can affect whether azathioprine is suitable and what dose should be used.

Do not change your dose or stop taking azathioprine without speaking to your doctor or specialist.

What are the side effects?

Azathioprine can affect the blood and immune system, so regular monitoring is important.

Contact your health care provider if you develop:

• a fever, sore throat or other signs of infection
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• severe abdominal pain
• a new rash or other unexplained skin changes.

Possible side effects include:

• nausea and loss of appetite, particularly when treatment is first started
• increased susceptibility to infections
• reduced numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets
• liver problems
• hair loss
• increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Long-term treatment with azathioprine can increase the risk of certain cancers, including skin cancer and lymphoma. Good protection from the sun and regular monitoring are therefore important.

If you notice a new or changing lump, mole or patch on your skin, tell your health care provider.

How do I get it?

Azathioprine is a prescription-only medicine

You will need regular blood tests while taking it. Your healthcare professional will tell you how often these are needed.

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Azathioprine is currently available in the UK from several manufacturers as generic products. Current UK product information includes azathioprine tablets from Tillomed Laboratories Ltd and Strides Pharma UK Ltd, as well as Jayempi 10 mg/ml oral suspension, marketed by Nova Laboratories Ltd.

Reviewed: September 2026

Version ID: 2/AZA/PAT/09/26

This page is for reference only as this product is now discontinued

Chloroquine is a medicine that can affect the immune system and reduce inflammation. It has been used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

How does it work?

Chloroquine changes the way certain cells in the immune system work. This can help reduce inflammation and the symptoms caused by inflammatory diseases.

It does not work straight away. If it is being used for an inflammatory condition, it can take several weeks or months before the full benefit is seen.

Your doctor will monitor how well it is working and may stop the medicine if it is not helping enough.

Who can get it?

Chloroquine is available on prescription, but its use for inflammatory conditions is now much less common than it was in the past.

How is it used?

The dose of chloroquine depends on the reason it is being prescribed, your age and other factors.

The old information stating that 15 mL should be taken every day should not be used. Chloroquine liquid preparations have different strengths, and the dose must be prescribed carefully.

Chloroquine can be taken with or after food if it causes stomach upset.

Do not change the dose or take extra doses unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, chloroquine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

Possible side effects include:

• headache
• feeling sick or stomach upset
• skin rashes or changes in skin colour
• hair changes or hair loss
• dizziness or changes in mood
• blurred or changed vision.

Changes to your eyesight

One of the most important risks with long-term chloroquine treatment is damage to the retina at the back of the eye.

Tell your doctor promptly if you notice changes in your eyesight, such as:

• blurred vision
• difficulty seeing colours
• changes in your field of vision
• difficulty reading or seeing clearly.

You may need regular eye checks if you take chloroquine for a long period.

Other important side effects

Rarely, chloroquine can affect the blood, muscles, nerves or heart.

Seek medical advice if you develop unusual bruising or bleeding, severe muscle weakness, changes in your heartbeat, fainting or other worrying symptoms.

Chloroquine can also interact with other medicines. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking.

How do I get it?

Chloroquine is a prescription medicine. Your doctor will decide whether it is appropriate for your particular condition and will advise you about the correct dose and monitoring.

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Chloroquine was known commercially as Nivaquine Syrup and was marketed in the UK by Sanofi Aventis.

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/CHL/PAT/09/26

Ciclosporin belongs to the group of drugs known as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and it is a type of medicine called a cytotoxic antimetabolite.

Ciclosporin can also reduce inflammation in the joints. However, it is not usually one of the first-choice disease-modifying treatments for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Your rheumatology team may consider other DMARDs or targeted treatments depending on which parts of your PsA are affected and how active your disease is.

If you have both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the choice of treatment may need to take both conditions into account.

Ciclosporin can work relatively quickly, so it may sometimes be useful when psoriasis needs to be brought under control quickly.

How does it work?

Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are both linked to an overactive immune system.

Ciclosporin reduces the activity of some immune cells called T cells. This can reduce inflammation.

For psoriasis, this can improve redness, scaling and thickness of the skin.

For psoriatic arthritis, reducing inflammation may help with pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. However, ciclosporin is not normally used as a first-choice treatment for PsA and it is not suitable for everyone.

Ciclosporin does not cure psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. It controls inflammation while you are taking it.

Who can get it?

Ciclosporin is available on prescription and is normally prescribed and monitored by a specialist.

For psoriasis, it may be considered when:

• psoriasis is severe and needs treatment with a medicine that works throughout the body
• other treatments have not worked
• other treatments are not suitable
• psoriasis needs to be brought under control quickly.

If you have active psoriatic arthritis, your rheumatology team will consider which treatment is most appropriate for your joints as well as your skin.

How is it used?

Ciclosporin is usually taken twice a day. The dose is worked out according to your body weight and may be adjusted depending on how well it works and whether you have side effects.

For severe psoriasis, the usual starting dose is 2.5 mg for each kilogram of body weight each day, divided into two doses. If necessary, the dose may be increased, but should not normally exceed 5 mg/kg per day.

Ciclosporin is generally used for a limited period rather than as a long-term treatment. NICE recommends using the lowest effective dose and generally not using ciclosporin continuously for more than one year, unless the disease is severe or unstable and other treatment options cannot be used.

Monitoring while taking ciclosporin

You will need regular checks while taking ciclosporin. These usually include:

• blood pressure
• kidney function
• blood tests to check your general health, including liver function and cholesterol.

This monitoring is important because ciclosporin can affect the kidneys and increase blood pressure.

Your doctor or pharmacist will also need to know about any other medicines, supplements or herbal remedies you take because ciclosporin can interact with a number of medicines.

Do not change the dose or stop taking ciclosporin without speaking to your doctor.

What are the side effects?

Not everyone gets side effects, and some are more likely with higher doses.

Common side effects can include:

• increased blood pressure
• changes in kidney function
• headache
• trembling or shaking
• increased hair growth
• swollen or overgrown gums
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• stomach discomfort
• muscle cramps or muscle pain
• tiredness
• increased cholesterol or other fats in the blood.

Because ciclosporin reduces the activity of the immune system, you may be more likely to develop infections.

Less common but more serious side effects can affect the kidneys, liver or nervous system.

Long-term treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system can also increase the risk of some cancers, particularly certain skin cancers and lymphomas. People taking ciclosporin for psoriasis should avoid excessive unprotected exposure to sunlight and should not have PUVA or UVB treatment at the same time unless specifically advised by their specialist.

Tell your doctor if you develop an infection, unusual bruising or bleeding, a significant change in your urine, severe headache, confusion or problems with your eyesight.

How do I get it?

Ciclosporin is available only on prescription and is normally prescribed and monitored by a specialist.

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Ciclosporin is known commercially as Neoral oral solution and is marketed in the UK by Novartis Pharmaceuticals ltd.

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/CIC/PAT/09/26

Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine belonging to a group of medicines called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

It is used to treat some inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It is not normally used to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Hydroxychloroquine can sometimes make psoriasis worse. For this reason, it is generally avoided in people who have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis unless a specialist feels that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

If you have both psoriasis and PsA, your rheumatology team will consider both conditions when choosing your treatment.

How does it work?

Hydroxychloroquine changes the way the immune system works. It reduces some of the activity involved in inflammation.

This can help reduce symptoms such as joint pain, swelling and stiffness in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

However, hydroxychloroquine does not have a usual role in treating PsA because of the risk of making psoriasis worse.

Who can get it?

Hydroxychloroquine is available on prescription.

It is licensed for adults with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and for some children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and lupus. It is also used for some skin conditions that are caused or made worse by sunlight.

If you have psoriasis or PsA, tell your doctor before starting hydroxychloroquine.

How is it used?

Hydroxychloroquine is taken as tablets, usually with food or a glass of milk.

The dose depends on the condition being treated and your body weight. The recommended maximum is 6.5 mg per kilogram of ideal body weight each day, with adult doses generally being 200 mg, 300 mg or 400 mg daily depending on the product and individual circumstances.

Hydroxychloroquine does not work immediately. It can take several weeks before you notice an improvement.

For rheumatic diseases, treatment is normally stopped if there has been no improvement after six months.

Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. Do not change the dose yourself.

What are the side effects?

Most people do not experience serious side effects, but hydroxychloroquine can cause problems with the eyes and these need to be taken seriously.

Possible side effects include:

• nausea, stomach pain or other digestive problems
• headache or dizziness
• skin rashes or changes in skin colour
• hair loss
• muscle weakness
• changes in vision.

Eye problems

In rare cases, hydroxychloroquine can damage the retina, the light-sensitive part of the eye. The risk is greater with higher doses and longer treatment.

You should have appropriate eye monitoring while taking hydroxychloroquine. Current UK guidance recommends retinal monitoring after five years of treatment, although monitoring may be needed earlier if you have particular risk factors.

Tell your doctor promptly if you notice:

• blurred or reduced vision
• difficulty reading
• changes in your field of vision
• unusual changes in your eyesight.

Do not ignore changes in your vision.

How do I get it?

Hydroxychloroquine is a prescription-only medicine.

Current UK products include 200 mg and 300 mg hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets.

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Hydroxychloroquine is marketed in the UK by Sanofi Aventis and is known commercially as Plaquenil

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/HYD/PAT/09/26

Leflunomide is a disease modifying antirheumatic drug used in the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis and active psoriatic arthritis

How does it work?

Leflunomide is an immunosuppressive medicine. It helps to suppress overactivity of the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It can help to reduce pain and swelling by limiting inflammation.
Due to the effects on the immune system, people who take Leflunomide are prone to getting infections. This includes serious infections such as tuberculosis and sepsis. It is for this reason that people who have Leflunomide are monitored for infections.
Leflunomide stays in the body for several months so the effects of this medicine will persist for some time after you take your last dose.
The effects of Leflunomide are not usually seen or felt until it has been taken for several weeks

Who can get it?

Suitable for adults only.

How is it used?

• swallow whole with a glass of water
• this medicine can be taken with or without food

What are the side effects?

Clinical studies have shown the following side effects when taking Leflunomide

• Increased Blood Pressure
• GI upset
• oral mucosal disorders
• abdominal pain
• altered liver function
• leucopoenia
• tenosynovitis
• headache
• dizziness
• asthenia
• paraesthesia
• weight loss
• allergy
• hair loss
• dry skin.

Read reviews or write your own

If you would like to read other people’s experience of this treatment, or have any comments to share, good or bad, you might like to go to iWantGreatCare for Leflunomide or iWantGreatCare for Arava.

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Leflunomide is known commercially as Arava and is marketed in the UK by Sanofi-Aventis Ltd.

Methotrexate  belongs to the group of drugs known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and it is a type of medicine called a cytotoxic antimetabolite. Methotrexate is used to treat three different conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and cancer of various types.

How does it work?

In rheumatoid arthritis methotrexate is thought to work by suppressing the excessive activity of the immune system that causes the inflammation in this condition, though the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood. It is used when the arthritis does not improve sufficiently with conventional treatment, or for people who cannot tolerate conventional treatments. In arthritis methotrexate is sometimes referred to as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), because it suppresses the disease process.

In low doses methotrexate can also affect the division of normal, healthy cells, and it has the potential to produce serious side effects. For this reason, treatment with methotrexate is usually only initiated by hospital specialists, and regular blood tests are needed to monitor for potential side effects.

Who can get it?

This medicine is available on prescription for adults over the age of 18.

How is it used?

Dosage

Jylamvo oral solution

For the treatment of severe psoriasis  take 2.5-5mg test dose one week prior to therapy.  Then 7.5mg once weekly, increasing gradually as necessary; maximum 25mg weekly.  After desired response reduce gradually to lowest effective dose.

Maxtrex
7.5mg to be taken once weekly or 2.5mg at 12 hour intervals for 3 doses as a course once weekly.  Adjust dose according to response: use lowest effective dose.  Max 20mg weekly.

Methofill

7.5mg by subcutaneous injection, increasing gradually depending on individual tolerance and disease activity up to a maximum weekly dose of 25mg  After desired response reduce gradually to lowest effective dose.

Methotrexate

7.5mg to be taken once weekly or 2.5mg at 12 hour intervals for 3 doses as a course once weekly.  Adjust dose according to response: use lowest effective dose.  Max 20mg weekly.

Methotrexate oral solution
7.5mg to be taken once weekly or 2.5mg at 12 hour intervals for 3 doses as a course once weekly.  Adjust dose according to response: use lowest effective dose.  Max 20mg weekly.

Metoject
7.5mg by subcutaneous injection once weekly, increasing gradually depending on individual tolerance and disease activity.  Max weekly dose 25mg.  After desired response gradually reduce to lowest effective dose.

Nordimet

7.5mg by subcutaneous injection, increasing gradually depending on individual tolerance and disease activity up to a maximum weekly dose of 25mg  After desired response reduce gradually to lowest effective dose.

Ziatal
7.5mg by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection once weekly, then adjust according to indvidiaul tolerance and disease activity.  Maximum weekly dose of 25mg.  After desired response gradually reduce to lowest effective dose.

What are the side effects?

The most common unwanted effects are nausea, stomach pains and soreness of the mouth and lips,

Methotrexate can make you more likely to catch infections. If you think you have an infection, a sore throat, fever, chills, or achiness during treatment you should tell your doctor immediately. Methotrexate can cause inflammation of the lung with breathlessness. If you develop a persistent cough, experience pain or difficulty breathing, or become breathless, you should seek medical attention.

Less common unwanted effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, tiredness, drowsiness, feeling weak, dizziness, eye irritation, mood changes, loss of interest in, or inability to have sex, fever, chills, pain in joints or muscles, acne, boils, rash itchiness, vaginal ulcers.

In a small number of patients methotrexate may cause serious unwanted effects, and on rare occasions, death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Unusual bleeding (including vomiting blood) or bruising
• Blood in urine or stools
• A discoloration or yellowing of the skin
• A serious skin rash with reddening of the skin
• A painless lump in your neck, groin or armpits with associated backache fever or night sweats
• Pain or difficulty in passing urine
• The need to drink much more than usual
• A dry cough
• A numb or tingling feeling
• Fits (convulsions)
• Unusual body movements or a lack of balance
• Hair loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Black or tarry stools
• Tiny red spots on the skin
• Pain in the shoulders or back
• The need to pass urine more often than usual
• Constipation
• Pain or difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Confusion
• An inability to move
• Difficulty with speech
• An allergic reaction which may cause a skin rash or swelling of your lips or tongue
• Thickening of the skin
• Photosensitivity (reaction to UV and sun light).

Read reviews or write your own

If you would like to read other people’s experience of this treatment, or have any comments to share, good or bad, you might like to go to iWantGreatCare for Methotrexate or iWantGreatCare for Matrex.

Methotrexate is known commercially as Jylamvo which is marketed in the UK by Intrapharm, Maxtrex which is marketed in the UK by Pfizer Ltd, Methofill which is marketed in the UK by Accord,  Methotrexate oral solution which is marketed in the UK by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Limited,  Metoject which is marketed in the UK by Medac, Nordimet which is marketed in the UK by Nordic and Ziatal which is marketed in the UK by Nordic.

Penicillamine is one of a group of drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) used to treat serious, active rheumatoid arthritis.

How does it work?

Penicillamine is a chelating agent. This means that it binds to certain metals, including lead and copper, to help remove them from your body if necessary. Distamine also helps to relieve the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis if other medicines and rest have not worked.

Who can get it?

Available for adults and children over 8 years of age.

How is it used?

Rheumatoid arthritis: take 125mg to 250mg a day for the first month. (1) Your doctor will then tell you how to increase the dose gradually over several months until you are feeling better. He or she may then change your dose to keep you well. This new dose is usually 500mg to 750mg a day, but it can be as high as 1500mg. It may be several months before you feel better. If there is no improvement you should stop taking the tablets after a year. If you stay well for six months your doctor may reduce your dose. If you are elderly, you may be given a smaller dose. Do not take more than 1000mg a day.

What are the side effects?

When you start taking the tablets you may feel sick or even be sick. You may lose your appetite or notice that food tastes different. These side effects usually wear off, but tell your doctor if they trouble you.
You will have regular blood and urine tests, especially when you start taking the tablets and when you increase the dose. These are to check for changes in your blood cell counts and to look for protein or blood in your urine.

Other known side effects include the following:

Very common side effects (more than 1 in 10 patients) of Distamine include:

• protein in your urine (this is detected by a urine test).

Rare side effects (more than 1 in 10,000 patients) of Distamine include:

• sore mouth
• swollen breast tissue
• lung problems (e.g. wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing)
• hair loss
• wrinkly skin.

Other side effects of Distamine include:

• loss of taste
• feeling or being sick (especially at the start of treatment)
• loss of appetite (especially at the start of treatment)
• severe stomach and back pain
• jaundice which is the yellowing of the skin or eyes as a result of liver or blood problems (this may include changes in lood tests which show how your liver is working)
• redness, a rash or itching
• fever or frequent infections
• blistering, swollen skin
• muscle weakness
• worsening of the pain and swelling in your joints

How do I get Penicillamine?

Penicillamine is available on prescription.

Read reviews or write your own

If you would like to read other people’s experience of this treatment, or have any comments to share, good or bad, you might like to go to iWantGreatCare for Penicillamine or iWantGreatCare for Distamine.

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Penicillamine is known commercially as Distamine and is marketed in the UK by Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Sodium aurothiomalate belongs to a group of medicines known as disease modifying antirheumatic drug and is used for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile chronic arthritis.

How does it work?

Sodium aurothiomalate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis limits inflammation which helps to reduce signs and symptoms of the disease such as pain and swelling. It has to be taken for a few months before you feel or notice an improvement in your symptoms.
Myocrisin is an injection that is usually given by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the appropriate dose. A small dose of medicine may be given initially as a test dose the first time that you have Myocrisin. You will be under medical observation for about half an hour after Myocrisin has been given to you. If you feel that the medicine is making you feel unwell or you think it is not working, you should talk to someone who is involved in your care.

Who can get it?

Not recommended for the elderly or for those with a history of urticaria, eczema or colitis.
Blood, skin and urine should be checked before each injection.

How is it used?

This medicine will be given to you as an injection. If you have any concerns about this medicine or how this will be given to you, talk to someone who is involved in your medical care.

What are the side effects?

Albuminuria, rash, eosinophilia. These may lead to a temporary suspension of treatment for 1 or 2 weeks.

Pruritus, metallic taste, oropharyngeal disorders, bruising, unexpected bleeding, menorrhagia, or diarrhoea can be experienced and should be reported to someone who is involved in the patient’s medical care

How do I get Sodium aurothiomalate?

Sodium aurothiomalate is available on prescription.

Read reviews or write your own

If you would like to read other people’s experience of this treatment, or have any comments to share, good or bad, you might like to go to iWantGreatCare for Sodium aurothiomalate or iWantGreatCare for Myocrisin.

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It is known commercially as Myocrisin and is marketed in the UK by Sanofi Aventis.

Sulfasalazine is disease modifying antirheumatic drug used in cases of Rheumatoid arthritis that are not responding to NSAIDs

How does it work?

Sulfasalazine is an immunosuppressive medicine. It helps to suppress over-activity of the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis. It can help to reduce pain and swelling by limiting inflammation.
Sulfasalazine needs to be taken for at least six weeks before any improvement is noticed.
Other information about Sulfasalazine:
people starting treatment with this form of medicine will normally be prescribed a low dose. The dose will then be gradually increased as necessary. This is to reduce the chances of getting side-effects

Who can get it?

Not recommended for children

How is it used?

Initially 1 daily for one week after meals, increasing by 1 each week to max. 6 daily in divided doses.

What are the side effects?

This medicine may cause side-effects in some people. The most common side effects are nausea, headache, rash, loss of appetite and raised temperature. These usually settle down during treatment as the body adjusts to the medicine.
Salazopyrin may cause temporary infertility in men. Fertility returns when treatment is stopped. Normal contraception should still be used.
Occasionally the drug causes a reduction in the number of cells in the blood. In about 1 in 700 patients there is a serious fall in the number of white cells, the majority of such patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. This is why blood tests are made during the first three months of treatment. If you do not have these tests there is the possibility of a very serious reaction being missed. A fall in your white cell count may be noticed as tiredness, sore throat or difficulty in getting over an infection. If you have these or feel generally unwell or if you find that you are bruising easily, tell your doctor straight away.
Very infrequently a serious skin condition may occur, with rash (sometimes confined to the cheeks and bridge of the nose) peeling skin or blistering. It may be triggered or aggravated by sunlight. Should this occur, stop taking the tablets, avoid strong sunlight and contact your doctor promptly. Hair loss or thinning may occur.
Other rare side-effects which have been noted are:
allergic reactions {rash, itching}, nervous reactions {vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), tingling in hands and feet, loss of control over movements, fitting, depression, hallucinations, difficulty in sleeping}, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, stomach pain, swollen face or neck, kidney pain, blood in urine, anaemia, bloodshot eyes, cough, joint pain, heart muscle inflammation, sore or swollen glands, hepatitis or jaundice
If you notice any of these or anything else you are concerned about, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

How do I get Sulfasalazine?

Sulfasalazine is available on prescription.

Read reviews or write your own

If you would like to read other people’s experience of this treatment, or have any comments to share, good or bad, you might like to go to iWantGreatCare for Sulfasalazine or iWantGreatCare for Salazopyrin EN-Tabs.

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It is known commercially as Salazopyrin EN-Tabs and is marketed in the UK by Pfizer Ltd