Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

A medication used to suppress inflammatory arthritis and reduce the risk of lasting joint damage. Unlike symptom relievers alone, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can alter the course of disease.

Conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug: A chemically synthesized antirheumatic drug, such as methotrexate, that modifies inflammatory disease activity. This is the traditional drug class, commonly used as the initial disease-modifying treatment.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitor: A biologic drug that blocks tumor necrosis factor, a cytokine involved in inflammation. TNF inhibition is one of the best-established targeted approaches in inflammatory arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory joint disease and may damage cartilage and bone. DMARD treatment is central to limiting irreversible damage in this disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: A medication that reduces pain, fever, and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. NSAIDs relieve symptoms but generally do not prevent structural joint damage.
Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug: A protein-based antirheumatic drug that targets a specific immune molecule or cell. Biologics provide targeted options when conventional synthetic drugs do not control disease.
Interleukin-6 receptor antagonist: A biologic drug that blocks signaling through the interleukin-6 receptor. This target suppresses a cytokine pathway that drives systemic and joint inflammation.
Psoriatic arthritis: An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis that can affect joints, entheses, and the spine. Several DMARD classes treat its joint and related inflammatory manifestations.
Analgesic: A medication or treatment that reduces pain without necessarily treating its underlying cause. Analgesia can ease pain without suppressing the inflammatory disease process.
Targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug: A chemically synthesized antirheumatic drug designed to inhibit a specific intracellular signaling pathway. This class targets pathways inside immune cells, unlike protein-based biologics.
B-cell depletion: A treatment strategy that reduces selected B cells involved in immune responses. Some biologics modify arthritis by depleting B cells rather than neutralizing a cytokine.

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