Resources > JIA Medication Resource JIA Medication JIA is an auto-immune condition, so the main drugs used to control it are drugs called ‘immunosuppressants’, which help to get the immune system under better control. Other drugs, such as painkillers and anti-inflammatories will also often be given to help control the symptoms. Print In this Article ↓ Dealing with pain ↓ Dealing with inflammation ↓ Dealing with both pain and inflammation ↓ Controlling JIA with Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) ↓ Controlling JIA with Biologics Dealing with pain Paracetamol is one of the most common painkillers given in JIA and is available as a liquid for infants and liquid or tablets for older children. Care must be taken to give the correct dose and strength according to the child’s weight and age. Side effects are rare and usually relate to an overdose. Dealing with inflammation Ibuprofen is one of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) given in JIA and is available as a liquid, tablet or cream. Ibuprofen works in 2 ways: As a simple pain killer, if taken occasionally.To reduce the inflammation if a regular dose is taken over several days or weeks, dependant on the prescribing doctor’s advice Although heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcers and skin rashes are possible side effects seen in adults, these are rare in children and young people. Alternative NSAIDs include: NaproxenDiclofenacIndomethacin Piroxicam Article Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) NSAIDs stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs. These include Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam, meloxicam Dealing with both pain and inflammation Corticosteroids (usually called steroids) act as powerful anti-inflammatory medications and with inflammation under control, the pain is lessened. Steroid preparations are available for joint injections, intra-muscular injections, tablets, creams and eye drops. The benefits of steroid treatments on the symptoms may or may not last long and the side effects can be significant especially when the dose is high for an extended period. Carefully controlled doses of steroids can be helpful in suppressing inflammation at the start of treatment before other medications have begun to work fully. Controlling JIA with Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) DMARDs have an effect on the underlying cause of inflammatory arthritis by: Dampening down the over-active immune systemEasing pain, swelling, stiffness Preventing damaging changes within the joints Key facts:The benefit may take 8-12 weeks to be felt It is not unusual for 2, or occasionally 3, DMARDs to be used together DMARDs require regular hospital clinic visits, blood tests and other monitoring DMARDs include: Methotrexate Sulfasalazine Hydroxychloroquine Article Methotrexate Methotrexate is ranked as the Gold Standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) to control inflammatory arthritis. Article Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). In the gut it is broken down (by the normal gut bacteria) into 2 parts, 1 part a sulphonamide antibiotic which kills harmful bacteria and the other part acts to reduce the process driving inflammation as well as helping to control the overactive immune system. Article Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is not prescribed frequently for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but may be used as part of a treatment programme alongside one or two other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Biologics ‘Biologic’ drugs are targeted treatments against various inflammatory chemicals and cells of the immune systemFor children and young people with an inadequate response to DMARDs, biologic treatments offer improved control. Etanercept is an ‘anti-TNFα drug’ and was specially designed to lower the inflammatory chemical, TNFα when there is too much in the joints. Too much TNFα stimulates joint inflammation, pain, swelling and possible damage. Etanercept is a small injection given just under the skin once or twice a week. Article Etanercept Etanercept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Etanercept works on the TNFα cells. Adalimumab is another form of anti-TNFα drug. This is a small injection under the skin once a fortnight. Article Adalimumab Adalimumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Adalimumab works on the TNFα cells. Tocilizumab blocks the inflammatory chemical Interleukin-6 (IL-6), different to anti-TNFα, but there is also too much in inflamed joints. Tocilizumab is given monthly as an infusion into a vein. Article Tocilizumab Tocilizumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Tocilizumab works on the inflammatory chemical interleukin-6 (IL-6). Abatacept prevents the T cells in the immune system from being fully activated and therefore dampens down inflammation. It is given as an intravenous infusion in hospital at 2 weekly intervals for 3 doses and then monthly. Article Abatacept Abatacept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Abatacept works on the T-cells Canakinumab is a newly developed biologic drug and is currently only available from some specialist centres. It targets the inflammatory chemical Interleukin-1 (IL-1). Steroids Article Steroids Steroids are known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. Steroids are used to help control many forms of arthritis. Related content Article Research and drug trials Research helps us to understand all aspects of JIA better, whether it’s through getting more and potentially better treatments for the condition or having a better understanding of the causes and risk factors for JIA. Updated: 06/11/2015 Next review: 06/08/2018
Article Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) NSAIDs stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs. These include Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam, meloxicam
Article Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) NSAIDs stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs. These include Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam, meloxicam
Article Methotrexate Methotrexate is ranked as the Gold Standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) to control inflammatory arthritis.
Article Methotrexate Methotrexate is ranked as the Gold Standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) to control inflammatory arthritis.
Article Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). In the gut it is broken down (by the normal gut bacteria) into 2 parts, 1 part a sulphonamide antibiotic which kills harmful bacteria and the other part acts to reduce the process driving inflammation as well as helping to control the overactive immune system.
Article Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). In the gut it is broken down (by the normal gut bacteria) into 2 parts, 1 part a sulphonamide antibiotic which kills harmful bacteria and the other part acts to reduce the process driving inflammation as well as helping to control the overactive immune system.
Article Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is not prescribed frequently for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but may be used as part of a treatment programme alongside one or two other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Article Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is not prescribed frequently for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but may be used as part of a treatment programme alongside one or two other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Article Etanercept Etanercept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Etanercept works on the TNFα cells.
Article Etanercept Etanercept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Etanercept works on the TNFα cells.
Article Adalimumab Adalimumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Adalimumab works on the TNFα cells.
Article Adalimumab Adalimumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Adalimumab works on the TNFα cells.
Article Tocilizumab Tocilizumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Tocilizumab works on the inflammatory chemical interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Article Tocilizumab Tocilizumab is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Tocilizumab works on the inflammatory chemical interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Article Abatacept Abatacept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Abatacept works on the T-cells
Article Abatacept Abatacept is a ‘biologic’ drug. Biologic drugs are often referred to as ‘targeted therapies’ because they work on specific cells of the immune system. Abatacept works on the T-cells
Article Steroids Steroids are known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. Steroids are used to help control many forms of arthritis.
Article Steroids Steroids are known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. Steroids are used to help control many forms of arthritis.
Article Research and drug trials Research helps us to understand all aspects of JIA better, whether it’s through getting more and potentially better treatments for the condition or having a better understanding of the causes and risk factors for JIA.
Article Research and drug trials Research helps us to understand all aspects of JIA better, whether it’s through getting more and potentially better treatments for the condition or having a better understanding of the causes and risk factors for JIA.