Benefits and Risks of Chemical DMARDs

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually begins with the chemical DMARDs methotrexate or leflunomide. They may be used individually or in combination with other drugs, including other chemical or biologic DMARDs, depending on how active your disease is and how well you respond to treatment.

Other chemical DMARDs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis include sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, minocycline, and azathioprine.

Chemical DMARDs work by interfering with the immune response. Suppressing the immune system keeps it from mistakenly attacking your tissues and bones but also weakens your body’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses, a potentially serious side effect.

Other side effects vary from drug to drug, but the most common are nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, and skin rash. Both methotrexate and leflunomide may also cause birth defects, so if you are planning on having children, or if you (or your partner) become pregnant, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.