PharmD Info

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as for the management of other connective tissue diseases and some cancers. They work by Reducing the immune system's response to attacking its healthy tissues (most broadly)

Conventional DMARDs:

apremilast
azathioprine
ciclosporin
cyclophosphamide
hydroxychloroquine
leflunomide
methotrexate
mycophenolate
sulfasalazine.

Biologic DMARDs are genetically engineered proteins that target specific parts of the immune system that drive inflammation. They work in a more targeted way in blocking cytokines.

Biological therapies:

abatacept
belimumab
ixekizumab
rituximab
sarilumab
secukinumab
tocilizumab
ustekinumab.

Difference between DMARDs and biologic DMARds:

• DMARDs are traditional drugs used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, while biologics are genetically engineered drugs developed to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• The DMARDs target the entire immune system, while biologics target specific steps in the inflammatory process.

• DMARDs can take months to response, while biologics can give response within a few weeks.

• Moreover, biologics are at higher risk and higher prices in comparison to DMARDs.

• DMARDs are available as pills, while biologics are injections.

Indications:

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of inflammatory arthritides, including:

— rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
— psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
— ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

They can also be used in the treatment of other disorders, including connective tissue diseases such as

— systemic sclerosis (SSc)
— systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
— Sjogren syndrome (SS),
— inflammatory myositis
— vasculitis
— uveitis
— inflammatory bowel disease
— some type of cancers.