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Arthritis Drugs and Gastrointestinal
Problems |
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Everyone is clamoring to buy medicines to relieve pain caused by arthritis or to treat their disease. And this is absolutely normal.
When you're ground down such a pain you'll do anything to find a cure and you'll take any manner of Arthritis drugs you can get. But how many of you read the prospectus when buying drugs?
We know that the listing is like the bible to the pills of all kinds. Shouldn't this be a reason to read it? It shows the product composition, indications for usage, contraindications, and precautions written quite clearly.
Any drug has side effects. It's impossible to find a drug that doesn't have a side effect. Maybe you can't observe it. I'll give an example, a medicine called diclofenac is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis but the side effects associated with the use of this medicine is that it may cause gastrointestinal problems.
What are gastrointestinal problems? These are disorders which include a set of symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea; accompanied with rare gastrointestinal ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding and irritative reactions in the rectum.
Arthritis drugs can often have adverse effects, when they are taken along with certain foods or drinks. In such cases discontinuation of the arthritis drugs can help in putting an end to the problems. And the doctor should be consulted at once to get some alternative medicines.
Methotrexate is another example and is classified as a DMARD drug (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug). It can decrease the inflammation, swelling and so the pain associated with arthritis, also lowering the risk of long term damage to the joints. It will take 2 to 3 months after commencing a course of Methotrexate, to feeling the full benefits. Prior to it's authorised use as an arthritis drug, it was, and still is used as a cancer and psoriatic drug.
Methotrexate operates by way of depressing the immune system, and reacts with certain enzymes (dihydrofolate reductase) that the body needs to have a fully operating system. Because of this it affects the production of folic acid. That is why, if taking Methotrexate, you will always be prescribed folic acid (taken daily), which is important in the production of new cells.
Usually Methotrexate is taken once per week, at a dose prescribed by the specialist (as needed). It is vitally important to then have regular liver function tests, as liver damage is a possibility. If you already have liver abnormalities, then Methotrexate should be avoided. Also, pregant women (or those planning children) should avoid at all costs. Although, results show that taking the drug does not harm future pregnancy prospects.
It is very important to discuss with your doctor, all the medication that you take, even natural ones, as some of them may increase the levels of toxicity associated with Methotrexate. |
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