Antirheumatoids

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*Sulfasalazine*

#Formulations : Tablet

#Brand_Names : Salazopyrin

#Pharmacological_Action : It composed of sulfapyridine and 5amino salicylic acid. Sulfapyridine split off in the colon by bacterial action and absorbed systematically appears to be the active moiety. 

#Side_Effects : Hepatitis

#Dose : 1- 3 g/day TDS

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Leflunomide*

#Formulations : Tablet

#Brand_Names : Lefra

#Pharmacological_Action : It rapidly converted in the body to an active metabolite which inhibits dihydroorate dehydrogenase and pyrimidine synthesis in actively dividing cells. Antibody production in B cells may be depressed. 

#Dose : 100mg/day for 3 days followed by 20mg OD.

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Tofacitinib*

#Formulations : Tablet

#Brand_Names : Xeljang

#Pharmacological_Action : It inhibits JAK - STAT signing pathway and DNA transcription. Production of inflammatory mediators and release of cytokines is inhibited. 

#Side_Effects : Headache, Insomnia, Diarrhoea, Hypertension, Anaemia

#Dose : 5mg BD

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Etanercept*

#Formulations : Injection

#Brand_Names : Enbrel, Enbrol

#Pharmacological_Action : Recombinant fusion protein of TNF receptor with flucytosin portion of human immunoglobulin. 

#Dose : 25- 50 mg 

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Infliximab*

#Formulations : Tablet, Injection

#Brand_Names : NA

#Pharmacological_Action : Binds and neutralize TNF.

#Side_Effects : Fever, Chills, Urticaria, Bronchospasm

#Dose : 3- 5mg/kg

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Adalimumab*

#Formulations : Tablet, Injection

#Pharmacological_Action : same as Etanercept.

#Dose : subcutaneous 40mg

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Anakinra*

#Formulations : Tablet, Injection

#Pharmacological_Action : It is a recombinant human interleukin I receptor antagonist.  

#Dose : 100 mg subcutaneous daily. 

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.

*Rituximab*

#Formulations : Tablet, Injection

#Pharmacological_Action : This chimerized monoclonal antibody depletes B lymphocytes and is indicated in B cell lymphoma. 

#Therapeutic_Uses : used as antirheumatoid drug.