Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, primarily the joints. This leads to inflammation, pain, swelling, and potential joint damage. While oral medications are a common treatment approach for managing RA, infusions represent another important therapeutic option.
What Infusions Are for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Infusions for rheumatoid arthritis involve administering medication directly into a patient’s bloodstream via an intravenous (IV) line. This method ensures the medication enters the bloodstream immediately and reaches affected areas efficiently. Infusion therapy is considered when oral medications, such as conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), have not adequately controlled RA symptoms or for more severe disease.
The medications delivered via infusion are frequently biologics or other targeted therapies. Unlike traditional small-molecule drugs, biologics are complex proteins derived from living cells. This delivery method is chosen because biologics would break down if taken orally, limiting their effectiveness.
How Infusion Medications Target RA
Infusion medications work by targeting specific components of the immune system that drive inflammation and joint damage in RA. Instead of broadly suppressing the immune system, these targeted therapies interrupt precise pathways involved in the autoimmune response. This focused approach helps reduce inflammation and prevent joint destruction.
Many of these medications are biologics, designed to block the action of specific inflammatory proteins or cells. For example, some biologics target tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), a protein that promotes inflammation. Others may block interleukin-6 (IL-6) or inhibit the activity of immune cells like B-cells or T-cells that contribute to the autoimmune attack on joints. By disrupting these specific immune signals, these therapies calm the overactive immune system, alleviating symptoms and protecting joints.
The Infusion Experience
Receiving an infusion for rheumatoid arthritis takes place in an infusion center, clinic, or doctor’s office. A healthcare professional inserts an intravenous line, usually into a vein in the hand or arm, to deliver the medication. Patients might feel a brief pinch when the IV line is inserted.
The duration of a single infusion session can vary, ranging from about 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the specific medication. The frequency of infusions also differs by medication, with some requiring sessions every few weeks and others every few months. Medical staff monitor the patient throughout the infusion to ensure safety and address any concerns.
What to Expect from Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy for RA aims to reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Patients may also experience improved physical function and mobility. A benefit of these therapies is their potential to slow or halt joint damage, which can lead to permanent deformities and disability.
The full effects of infusion therapy may not be immediately apparent, taking several weeks or even a few months to become noticeable. As with any medication, infusion therapies carry potential side effects. Common side effects include headaches, nausea, or fatigue, with an increased risk of infections, particularly upper respiratory infections, because these drugs modulate the immune system. Infusion reactions, though less common, can also occur, involving symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest constriction. Healthcare providers monitor for these reactions and discuss risks and benefits to assess treatment effectiveness and manage any side effects.