| NSAIDs | Avoid gastrotoxic NSAIDs; counter with cytoprotective therapy |
| Antimalarials | Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is the antimalarial drug used most often in the United States; ophthalmologic monitoring is recommended every six to 12 months |
| Glucocorticoids | Individual joints may benefit from intra-articular injection of triamcinolone (Aristospan); severe polyarthritis flare-ups may be treated with intravenous “pulse therapy” consisting of 1,000 mg of methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) daily for three days; use of prednisone for maintenance therapy should be limited to 10 mg or less daily |
| Immunosuppressive drugs | Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) or azathioprine (Imuran) can be used as steroid-sparing drugs; methotrexate cannot be used during pregnancy |