Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health World Spine Day (WSD)- October 16- is just over a week away! In an effort to “keep people moving”, WSD encourages you to share a photo of you, your colleagues, friends and family’s spines as you “Straighten Up and Move” for WSD. Tag photos with #spineselfie and #worldspineday and shareRead more
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Why am I being prescribed azathioprine? Azaathioprine is used in the treatment of several different types of rheumatic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory muscle disease and vasculitis. Azathioprine has effects on the immune system ( the body’s own defence system). One of its actions is to reduce the activity of theRead more
Why am I being prescribed cyclophosphamide? Cyclophosphamide is used for several different types of rheumatic disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vasculitis and sometimes for rheumatoid arthritis. It is a very powerful drug and may have effects on the immune system (the body’s own defence system). One of its actions is to reduce the activityRead more
Why am I being prescribed cyclosporin? Cyclosporin is used for rheumatoid arthritis to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness. It is also used for a number of other conditions such as psoriatic arthropathy, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis and inflammatory muscle disease. When do I take cyclosporin? Cyclosporin comes as 25mg capsules. It is usually taken twiceRead more
Why am I prescribed hydroxychloroquine? Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug which is used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In rheumatoid arthritis, it reduces inflammation in your joints and makes the disease less active, so reducing pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. In SLE, itRead more
Why am I being prescribed leflunomide? Leflunomide (trade name ‘Arava’) is used to treat inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is a ‘disease-modifying’ drug which, by its action on the immune system, can reduce the inflammation that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. When do I take leflunomide? Leflunomide comes as 10mg,Read more
Why am I prescribed methotrexate? Methotrexate is used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthropathy, vasculitis and inflammatory muscle disease. Methotrexate is a powerful drug and it is important that you follow some guidelines to make the treatment as safe as possible. The effects of methotrexate will not beRead more
Why am I prescribed sulfasalazine? Sulfasalazine can reduce the symptoms and slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis, such as arthritis associated with psoriasis. The aim is to reduce the inflammation in your joints and decrease pain, swelling and stiffness. When do I take sulfasalazine? Sulfasalazine tablets should be taken withRead more
Why am I prescribed steroid tablets? Steroids is used in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vasculitis and inflammatory muscle disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, steroids are effective against swelling and inflammation. However, they only suppress the disease and do not cure it. Steroids can beRead more
The EULAR On-Line Course on Rheumatic Diseases (www.eular-onlinecourse.org) is an electronic form of continuous medical education in rheumatology. You can download the form (Word format), below: EULAR_online_course.docRead more