Rheumatic disease is a chronic disease, many patients on hormones, immunosuppressants and other therapeutic drugs there is a misconception, and even listen to the secret recipe around to seek medical treatment, delaying treatment, and finally lead to joint deformity, and even renal failure to seek medical treatment, which how to use drugs is the right it? Although the rheumatic disease variety, but the treatment of drugs are mainly divided into four categories: the first category is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; the second category is anti-rheumatic drugs (also known as immunosuppressive drugs); the third category is glucocorticoids; the fourth category is biological agents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Anti-inflammatory painkillers are scientifically known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used drugs include anti-inflammatory pain, diclofenac sodium (fotarine), ibuprofen, meloxicam, celecoxib and so on. The drugs have a rapid onset of action and good pain relief, and are the first-line treatment for rheumatic diseases. The most common adverse effects of these drugs are gastrointestinal reactions, manifested as epigastric discomfort, nausea, abdominal pain, etc. In serious cases, ulcers and bleeding may occur. Meloxicam and celecoxib are selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors with relatively little gastrointestinal irritation and are safe for clinical use. The rational use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs depends on the half-life of each drug, and the use of drugs should emphasize individualization. Generally, drugs can be effective after a few days of use, and if they are not effective after 3-4 weeks of taking the full amount, a change of drugs should be considered. When the use of a drug is not effective, do not add another NSAIDs, the combination of its efficacy not only does not increase, but will increase the adverse effects. Blood and urine tests and liver and kidney function should be checked regularly during the drug administration. Pain in arthritis patients mostly occurs between 12:00 midnight and 2:00 a.m., so the dosage of the drug can be considered slightly reduced in the morning and added once in the evening. Hormones – Rational use of profit The second category of drugs is hormones, commonly used include short-acting hydrocodone, medium-acting prednisone and methylprednisolone and long-acting dexamethasone. When I heard about the use of hormones, I was afraid of the side effects of fattening. In addition, the side effects of hormones include peptic ulcers and infections. Older patients are worried about inducing osteoporosis, femoral head necrosis, hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. In fact, patients should not just assume that hormones do more harm than good. Clinical practice proves that the powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-immune, anti-toxin and anti-shock effects of hormones can control the disease of many patients, significantly improve the quality of life and prolong their lives. Of course, the premise of getting these benefits is that they must be used rationally. If small doses are effective, they should not be used in large doses, and patients who are suitable for a short course of treatment should not use them for a long time, and those who can take them orally should not inject them. Long-term high doses of hormones should be slowly reduced after they have taken effect, otherwise the condition may relapse. Immunosuppressants – side effects need to be monitored regularly The third class of drugs is the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), also known as immunosuppressants. These drugs can reduce the disease, kill unwanted cells, change the course of the disease to some extent, stop or delay the destruction of diseased tissues and organs, and help to reduce the amount of hormones. Commonly used immunosuppressive drugs include cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, leflunomide, cyclosporine A, mycophenolate, thalidomide, and hydroxychloroquine. The drugs are slow-acting and generally take effect after one month. Adverse effects of these drugs include gastrointestinal reactions, damage to liver and kidney function, bone marrow suppression, and long-term application can reduce the immunity of the body. Biological agents – not a miracle drug The last category of drugs is the gradual increase in the clinical application of biological agents, mainly including anti-T / B lymphocytes and some cytokine drugs. TNF-antagonists such as receptor-antibody fusion proteins and human-mouse co-monoclonal antibodies have been widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. The drugs are more expensive but work well, but are by no means a one- or two-shot solution and need to be combined with some traditional immunosuppressive agents.