What medicine should you take for reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune disease triggered by infection, often following an infection of the intestinal or genitourinary tract. Its treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, controlling inflammation and preventing recurrence. The following is a compilation of hot content on medication for reactive arthritis in the past 10 days across the Internet, combining medical guidelines and patient concerns to provide you with structured answers.
1. Classification and functions of commonly used drugs

| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Applicable symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Ibuprofen, diclofenac | Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis | Joint swelling and pain, fever |
| Glucocorticoids | Prednisone, methylprednisolone | anti-inflammatory immunosuppression | Moderate to severe joint inflammation |
| antibiotic | Doxycycline, azithromycin | Clear trigger infection | When bacterial infection is confirmed |
| Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) | Sulfasalazine, methotrexate | Regulate immune system | chronic or recurring |
2. Answers to hot questions
1.Is long-term medication required?Most patients can take medication for 4-8 weeks in the acute phase, but about 20% of patients require maintenance treatment with DMARDs.
2.Are Chinese medicines effective?Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides and others have anti-inflammatory effects, but they need to be used under the guidance of a doctor to avoid damage to liver and kidney function.
3.Applications of Biological Agents?TNF-α inhibitors (such as adalimumab) are suitable for severely ill patients who have failed traditional treatments, but the risk of infection needs to be strictly assessed.
3. Medication precautions
| drug type | Common side effects | Monitoring indicators |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage | fecal occult blood, creatinine |
| Glucocorticoids | Osteoporosis, elevated blood sugar | bone density, blood sugar |
| DMARDs | Myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity | Blood routine, liver function |
4. Nutrition and auxiliary treatment
1.Omega-3 fatty acids(Fish Oil): May reduce inflammatory response, recommended daily dose is 1-3g.
2.Vitamin D: Deficiency may aggravate symptoms and maintain serum levels >30ng/mL.
3.Probiotics: Regulates intestinal flora and may be beneficial for post-infectious arthritis.
5. Latest research trends
1. The 2024 Annals of Rheumatology pointed out that short-term antibiotic treatment (3 months) has no significant benefit for chronic reactive arthritis.
2. Genetic testing hot spots: HLA-B27 positive patients are more likely to become chronic and may need more active treatment.
Summarize: Medication for reactive arthritis needs to be individualized. NSAIDs are mainly used in the acute stage, and DMARDs are needed in combination with chronic or severe arthritis. Patients should be followed up regularly while paying attention to infection prevention and functional exercises. The data in this article has been updated to July 2024. Please follow your doctor’s advice for specific medication.
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