Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

Developed by Andy Thompson MD FRCPC

DMARDs are a class of medication used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.  Inflammation in a joint causes it to be warm, swollen, and sore.  You can think of this inflammation like a "fire in the joint".  If we leave this "fire" untreated it might burn down (damage) the joint.  Once the joint is damaged it cannot be repaired.