Medicine guides
The medicines you may be prescribed, explained
How to take them, how long they take to work, what side effects to expect, which blood tests they need, and what to do about alcohol, infections, vaccines and pregnancy. Written for the person holding the strip.
- Conventional DMARD
Methotrexate
MTX, Folitrax, Imutrex
The anchor drug of rheumatoid arthritis. Taken once a week, never daily.
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus (SLE) and more
Read the guide - Conventional DMARD
Hydroxychloroquine
HCQ, HCQS
The backbone of lupus treatment, with yearly eye checks after the first five years.
Used for Lupus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren's Syndrome and more
Read the guide - Conventional DMARD
Sulfasalazine
SSZ, Saaz
A gentle, well-tried DMARD for arthritis, including in pregnancy.
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and more
Read the guide - Conventional DMARD
Leflunomide
Arava, Lefra, Cleft
An alternative or partner to methotrexate that stays in the body for a long time.
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis
Read the guide - Steroid
Steroids (Prednisolone)
Prednisolone, Wysolone, Methylprednisolone, Medrol
Fast and powerful, used at the lowest dose for the shortest time, and never stopped suddenly.
Used for Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Vasculitis, Lupus (SLE) and more
Read the guide - Biologic & targeted
Biologics & JAK inhibitors
Adalimumab, Etanercept, Infliximab, Golimumab
Targeted treatment for disease that conventional DMARDs have not controlled, after careful screening.
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis and more
Read the guide - Gout
Allopurinol & Febuxostat
Urate-lowering therapy, Zyloric, Febustat, Febutaz
The daily tablets that cure gout, if the uric acid is brought below target and kept there.
Used for Gout
Read the guide
Whatever you are taking
Four rules that apply to every rheumatology medicine
Never stop or change a dose on your own
Most rheumatology drugs take weeks to work and months to show their full effect. Stopping because of a side effect or a good spell is the commonest cause of a flare.
Fever means call, not wait
On anything that suppresses the immune system, a fever or infection is reported the same day. The dose is often held until you recover.
Blood tests are part of the treatment
Monitoring is what makes these drugs safe. A missed blood test is a reason to delay a refill, not to skip it.
Plan pregnancy ahead
Some drugs are safe in pregnancy, some must be stopped months before. A conversation before conceiving prevents an emergency afterwards.
Not sure about something on your prescription? Call the clinic on +91 70571 19999 or bring the strip to your next visit. The patient guide covers monitoring schedules and vaccines in more detail.