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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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