What are disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs?

[KeithD]

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a type of medication used to treat rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. They are called "disease-modifying" because they are designed to slow the progression of the disease and prevent long-term joint damage, rather than just treating the symptoms. DMARDs work by suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation and slow the damage to the joints. Some common DMARDs include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine. DMARDs can have significant side effects and some can take several weeks or months to become fully effective, so they are typically used in combination with other medications and treatments, and require close monitoring by a healthcare provider.