Arthritis Medication Side Effects: What to Monitor and Report

Starting arthritis medication can bring relief, but it also comes with questions about side effects. Most people tolerate their medications well, but understanding what's normal and what needs attention makes a real difference in your treatment journey. This guide walks through the side effects of common arthritis medications, explains what you should monitor, and clarifies when to contact your doctor.

Understanding Common Arthritis Medications

Before diving into side effects, it helps to understand the main types of arthritis medications and how they work. Each category has its own purpose and side effect profile.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

NSAIDs are often the first line of defense against arthritis pain and inflammation. You can buy some over the counter, like ibuprofen and naproxen, while others require a prescription. According to the Arthritis Foundation, these medications work by blocking hormone-like substances called prostaglandins that cause inflammation. Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a prescription NSAID designed to be easier on the stomach than older options.

DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs)

DMARDs do more than just ease symptoms. They actually slow down the progression of inflammatory arthritis and help prevent permanent joint damage. Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed DMARD and is usually the first medication doctors try after diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Other DMARDs include leflunomide and sulfasalazine. These medications take time to work, often requiring several weeks or months before you notice improvement.

Biologic Medications

Biologics are a special type of DMARD that target specific parts of the immune system. Cleveland Clinic explains that these medications work well for many people with inflammatory arthritis. They include TNF inhibitors like adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel), interleukin inhibitors like tocilizumab (Actemra), and B-cell inhibitors like rituximab (Rituxan). Because they're proteins, biologics must be given by injection or infusion rather than as pills.

JAK Inhibitors

JAK inhibitors are the newest class of arthritis medication. They work by blocking specific enzymes involved in inflammation. Medications like tofacitinib (Xeljanz), baricitinib (Olumiant), and upadacitinib (Rinvoq) offer an oral alternative to biologic injections. They're particularly helpful for people who haven't responded well to other treatments.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone work quickly to reduce inflammation. Doctors often prescribe them for short-term relief during flares or as a bridge therapy while waiting for DMARDs to take effect. According to Healthline, long-term use can lead to significant side effects, which is why doctors try to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.

Common Side Effects by Medication Type

Every medication comes with potential side effects, but that doesn't mean you'll experience all or even most of them. Understanding what's possible helps you know what to watch for.

NSAID Side Effects

The most common complaint with NSAIDs is stomach trouble. You might experience heartburn, indigestion, or nausea, especially when taking these medications on an empty stomach. WebMD notes that NSAIDs can irritate the stomach lining and, in rare cases, cause ulcers or bleeding.

These medications also increase your risk of heart problems and stroke, particularly with long-term use. They can affect kidney function and raise blood pressure. If you have a history of heart disease, kidney problems, or stomach ulcers, your doctor needs to know before prescribing NSAIDs.

Taking NSAIDs with food helps minimize stomach upset. Some doctors recommend taking an antacid or proton pump inhibitor alongside NSAIDs for extra stomach protection. If you develop severe stomach pain, black stools, or blood in your stool, stop taking the medication and call your doctor right away.

DMARD Side Effects

Methotrexate, the most common DMARD, often causes nausea and fatigue, especially in the first few months of treatment. Many people also notice some hair thinning and occasional mouth sores. The good news is that taking folic acid supplements can reduce these side effects significantly. Your doctor will likely prescribe folic acid along with your methotrexate.

DMARDs can affect your liver and blood cells. According to research published in medical journals, about 30 percent of people on long-term methotrexate therapy experience some liver enzyme elevation. This is why regular blood work is so important. Most elevations are mild and don't cause symptoms, but your doctor needs to monitor them closely.

Low blood cell counts are another concern with DMARDs. You might become more susceptible to infections if your white blood cell count drops, or you could develop anemia if red blood cells are affected. Regular monitoring catches these problems before they become serious.

Biologic Medication Side Effects

If you're taking a biologic by injection, you might notice redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site. These reactions are usually mild and improve over time. Rotating injection sites and applying ice before or after can help reduce discomfort.

The bigger concern with biologics is infection risk. Because these medications suppress specific parts of your immune system, your body has a harder time fighting off bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections become more likely. The Arthritis Foundation emphasizes the importance of staying current on vaccinations and being vigilant about reporting any signs of infection to your doctor.

Biologics can also reactivate dormant infections like tuberculosis or hepatitis. That's why your doctor tests for these conditions before starting treatment.

JAK Inhibitor Side Effects

JAK inhibitors can raise your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your doctor will check your lipid panel regularly and may prescribe cholesterol medication if needed. These medications also slightly increase the risk of blood clots, particularly in people who have other risk factors like obesity or a history of clotting disorders.

Like biologics, JAK inhibitors increase infection susceptibility. They can also cause mild elevations in liver enzymes. Some people experience headaches or upper respiratory symptoms when starting these medications.

Corticosteroid Side Effects

Short-term steroid use usually causes manageable side effects like increased appetite, mild mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. Taking your dose in the morning can help with sleep issues since steroids provide an energy boost.

Long-term use brings more serious concerns. Weight gain and fluid retention are common. Your blood sugar levels may rise, which is particularly important to monitor if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Steroids weaken bones over time, increasing osteoporosis risk. They can also cause cataracts, glaucoma, and mood changes ranging from euphoria to depression.

Your doctor will work to taper you off steroids as quickly as possible. Never stop taking steroids suddenly without medical guidance, as this can cause serious withdrawal symptoms.

Required Monitoring and Lab Work

Regular monitoring helps catch medication side effects before they become serious problems. Your healthcare team will create a monitoring schedule based on which medications you're taking.

Baseline Testing Before Starting Medication

Before you start any arthritis medication, your doctor will order baseline blood work. This typically includes a complete blood count to check your red and white blood cells and platelets, liver function tests measuring enzymes like ALT and AST, and kidney function tests looking at creatinine levels. These baseline numbers give your doctor a reference point for future comparisons.

If you're starting a biologic medication, you'll also need screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C. According to medical guidelines, even if you've never had symptoms of TB, the bacteria can lie dormant in your body for years. Biologic medications could reactivate the infection, so testing first is crucial.

For JAK inhibitors, baseline cholesterol and triglyceride testing is important since these medications can affect lipid levels.

Ongoing Monitoring Schedules

The frequency of monitoring depends on your specific medication and how long you've been taking it. When starting methotrexate, expect blood work every four to eight weeks for the first few months. Once your dose is stable and your numbers look good, this usually extends to every eight to twelve weeks.

Biologic medications typically require monitoring every three to six months. Your doctor checks blood counts, liver enzymes, and watches for signs of infection or other complications.

JAK inhibitors need more frequent monitoring, especially in the first few months. Your doctor will check cholesterol levels, blood counts, and liver function regularly.

Don't skip these monitoring appointments. Many medication side effects don't cause symptoms until they're advanced. Regular blood work catches problems when they're still easy to address.

Understanding Your Lab Results

Your lab reports might look confusing with all those numbers and abbreviations, but a few key values tell you a lot about how your medications are affecting your body. ALT and AST are liver enzymes. Normal ranges vary by lab, but values below 40-50 are typically considered normal. Mild elevations up to twice the normal level might just require closer monitoring, but values above that often mean your doctor needs to adjust your dose or switch medications.

White blood cell counts show how well your immune system is functioning. Low counts increase infection risk. Red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels indicate whether you have anemia, which is common in people with inflammatory arthritis. Platelet counts reflect your blood's ability to clot properly.

Keep a copy of your lab results for your own records. This helps you track trends over time and makes it easier to discuss changes with your doctor.

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Attention

While regular monitoring catches many problems early, some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Knowing these warning signs helps you act quickly when necessary.

Signs of Serious Infection

Because many arthritis medications suppress your immune system, infections can become serious quickly. Call your doctor right away if you develop a fever above 100.4°F that lasts more than a day. A severe sore throat, especially with white patches or difficulty swallowing, needs evaluation. Wounds that won't heal, painful urination, or frequent trips to the bathroom could indicate a urinary tract infection.

Respiratory symptoms like a productive cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain warrant immediate attention. Don't wait to see if these symptoms improve on their own. Medical experts emphasize that early treatment of infections in immunosuppressed patients can prevent serious complications requiring hospitalization.

Liver Problem Symptoms

Your liver processes many arthritis medications, and while mild enzyme elevations often don't cause symptoms, severe liver problems do. Sharp or persistent pain in your right upper abdomen, especially under your ribs, needs evaluation. Dark urine that looks like tea or cola, pale or clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) are all signs of liver trouble.

Persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or unusual fatigue beyond what you normally experience with your medication should be reported to your doctor. While these symptoms can have many causes, when combined with liver-processed medications, they need investigation.

Gastrointestinal Red Flags

Severe abdominal pain, especially if it comes on suddenly, could indicate a serious problem. NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers or, in rare cases, perforations in the digestive tract. Black, tarry stools or bright red blood in your stool signals bleeding that needs immediate attention. Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds is a medical emergency.

If you experience severe heartburn or stomach pain that doesn't improve with antacids or gets worse over time, call your doctor. Don't assume it's just normal NSAID side effects.

Cardiovascular Symptoms

New or worsening chest pain, especially if it radiates to your arm, jaw, or back, requires emergency evaluation. Severe shortness of breath, sudden swelling in one leg with warmth and redness, or calf pain that worsens when you flex your foot could indicate a blood clot. Some arthritis medications, particularly JAK inhibitors, slightly increase clotting risk.

Rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, or fainting spells should be evaluated promptly. While these symptoms can have many causes, they're worth investigating in anyone taking arthritis medications.

Allergic Reactions

True allergic reactions to arthritis medications are uncommon, but they do happen. Hives, widespread rash, or severe itching that develops after starting a new medication needs evaluation. Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat is a medical emergency, as is difficulty breathing or wheezing. These could be signs of anaphylaxis, which requires immediate treatment.

Managing Common, Non-Urgent Side Effects

Not every side effect requires a doctor visit. Many common reactions to arthritis medications can be managed with simple strategies at home.

Stomach Upset and Nausea

If NSAIDs or methotrexate upset your stomach, try taking them with food. The "sandwich technique" works well: eat a little food, take your medication, then eat a little more. This cushions your stomach and reduces irritation. Avoid taking these medications on an empty stomach.

For methotrexate-related nausea, some people find that taking the medication at bedtime helps them sleep through the worst of it. Others do better splitting their weekly dose into smaller amounts taken 12 hours apart. Your doctor can also prescribe anti-nausea medication if dietary changes don't help enough.

Ginger tea or ginger candies sometimes ease medication-related nausea. Small, frequent meals throughout the day are often easier to tolerate than three large ones.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints when starting DMARDs, especially methotrexate. The good news is that it usually improves after the first two to three months as your body adjusts. In the meantime, pace yourself. Plan important activities for times when you typically feel most energetic, and don't push through exhaustion.

Taking folic acid as prescribed helps reduce methotrexate-related fatigue. Some doctors prescribe higher doses of folic acid if fatigue becomes problematic. Make sure you're taking it on the days you're not taking methotrexate for maximum benefit.

If fatigue persists beyond a few months or suddenly worsens, mention it to your doctor. Sometimes fatigue indicates anemia or other treatable problems rather than a direct medication effect.

Hair Thinning

Methotrexate can cause hair thinning, which understandably concerns many people. The hair thinning is usually gradual and not severe, and taking folic acid helps protect against it. Most people notice their hair returns to normal thickness after stopping methotrexate, though you shouldn't stop the medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

If hair loss bothers you significantly or seems excessive, talk with your doctor. Adjusting your folic acid dose or trying a different DMARD might help. Some people find that biotin supplements support hair health, though evidence for this is limited.

Injection Site Reactions

Redness, swelling, or itching at injection sites is common with biologic medications and usually improves over time. Applying ice to the injection site for a few minutes before and after can reduce discomfort. Some people prefer warm compresses instead. Let your medication come to room temperature before injecting, rather than injecting it cold from the refrigerator.

Rotate your injection sites to give each area time to recover. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can show you the best locations and rotation patterns. Keep the area clean, but don't use alcohol wipes right before injecting as they can increase stinging.

If injection site reactions worsen over time, become increasingly painful, or spread beyond the immediate injection area, contact your doctor. These could indicate an allergic reaction rather than a normal side effect.

Tracking Your Symptoms Effectively

Keeping track of your symptoms helps you and your doctor make informed decisions about your treatment. You don't need a complicated system, just something consistent.

Creating a Symptom Journal

A simple notebook works perfectly for tracking symptoms. Each day, jot down how you're feeling, any new symptoms, and your pain level on a scale of one to ten. Note when you take your medications, especially if timing seems to affect how you feel. Record any triggers you notice, like certain foods or activities that make symptoms better or worse.

Don't just write about problems. Note good days too. This helps you and your doctor see patterns and understand whether your treatment is working. If you develop a new symptom, write down when it started, how severe it is, what makes it better or worse, and whether it interferes with your daily activities.

Using Apps and Digital Tools

If you prefer digital tracking, several apps are designed specifically for arthritis patients. MyRA and ArthritisPower are popular options that let you track symptoms, medications, and appointments all in one place. These apps often generate reports you can share with your healthcare team.

Digital tracking has some advantages. It's always with you on your phone, so you can record symptoms as they happen rather than trying to remember them later. Many apps send medication reminders and let you photograph visible symptoms like rashes or swelling. You can also track weather patterns to see if they affect your symptoms.

Preparing for Doctor Appointments

Bring your symptom log to every appointment. Looking at patterns over weeks or months gives your doctor much more information than trying to recall how you've been feeling. Highlight anything that concerns you or interferes with your daily life.

Write down questions before your appointment. It's easy to forget what you wanted to ask once you're in the exam room. Common questions include whether side effects should improve with time, if there are ways to minimize them, whether you need medication adjustments, and when to come back for follow-up.

Tell your doctor honestly how medications affect your quality of life. If side effects are making it hard to work, care for family members, or do things you enjoy, your doctor needs to know. There might be alternatives that work just as well with fewer side effects.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Knowing when to pick up the phone can be tricky. Some issues need immediate attention, while others can wait for your next scheduled appointment.

Non-Emergency Concerns to Report

Call your doctor's office if side effects last more than a few weeks without improving. While many side effects do improve with time, persistent problems might need treatment adjustments. Symptoms that interfere with your daily activities, like severe fatigue or nausea that prevents you from working or caring for yourself, warrant a call.

Any new symptoms that develop after a dosage change should be reported, even if they seem minor. Your body might need time to adjust, but your doctor should know what you're experiencing. Before taking any new prescription medications, check with the doctor who prescribed your arthritis medications about potential interactions.

Medication Interactions to Discuss

Many common medications can interact with arthritis drugs. Before taking new prescriptions from any doctor, make sure all your healthcare providers know what arthritis medications you're taking. Keep a current list of all your medications, including dosages, in your wallet or on your phone.

Be particularly careful with over-the-counter pain relievers. Taking ibuprofen on top of prescription NSAIDs increases your risk of stomach problems and kidney damage. If you're taking methotrexate, additional NSAIDs can increase side effects. Acetaminophen is often safer, but even it can stress the liver when combined with methotrexate.

Herbal supplements can also interact with arthritis medications. Some increase bleeding risk, while others affect how your body processes medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any supplements to your routine.

If you drink alcohol, discuss safe limits with your doctor. Alcohol stresses the liver, as do many arthritis medications. Combining the two increases your risk of liver damage.

Scheduling Regular Check-Ins

Don't wait for problems to develop before seeing your doctor. Regular monitoring appointments help catch issues early. Your doctor will set up a schedule based on your specific medications and risk factors. Stick to these appointments even when you feel fine.

At monitoring appointments, your doctor reviews your symptoms, examines your joints, and checks your lab work. These visits are good opportunities to discuss how your treatment is working and whether you need adjustments. Your doctor might increase or decrease medication doses based on your disease activity and how well you tolerate treatment.

If you're seeing multiple doctors, make sure they all communicate. Your rheumatologist should know about medications prescribed by other specialists, and your primary care doctor needs to know about your arthritis treatment.

Minimizing Side Effect Risks

While you can't eliminate all risk of side effects, certain lifestyle choices help protect your health while taking arthritis medications.

Lifestyle Modifications

Limiting alcohol becomes especially important when taking medications processed by your liver. Methotrexate, leflunomide, and many other arthritis drugs can affect liver function, and alcohol adds to that stress. Ask your doctor about safe alcohol limits based on your specific medications. Some people need to avoid alcohol entirely, while others can drink occasionally in moderation.

If you smoke, quitting helps in multiple ways. Smoking makes some arthritis medications less effective and increases your risk of infections when you're immunosuppressed. Research shows that methotrexate-related lung problems occur more frequently in smokers. Your doctor can help you access smoking cessation resources.

Stay well hydrated, especially if you're taking medications that affect kidney function. Drinking enough water helps your kidneys flush out medication byproducts and reduces the risk of kidney damage.

Eating a balanced diet supports your overall health and helps your body process medications more effectively. While there's no specific "arthritis medication diet," focusing on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins gives your body the nutrients it needs. If you're taking corticosteroids, which can raise blood sugar, paying attention to carbohydrate intake becomes more important.

Infection Prevention Strategies

When you're taking medications that suppress your immune system, preventing infections matters more than ever. Hand hygiene is your first line of defense. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after being in public places. If soap and water aren't available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Stay current on vaccinations, but work with your doctor on timing. Most vaccines are safe for people taking arthritis medications, but live vaccines might need to be avoided or timed carefully around certain treatments. Getting your flu shot annually and staying up to date on pneumonia vaccines helps protect you from serious respiratory infections.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick when possible. If family members have contagious illnesses, take extra precautions like not sharing utensils, washing hands more frequently, and possibly sleeping in separate rooms during the contagious period.

In healthcare settings during cold and flu season, consider wearing a mask. This simple step can significantly reduce your exposure to respiratory infections. Don't worry about what others think. Protecting your health comes first.

Medication Management Best Practices

Taking medications exactly as prescribed gives you the best chance of controlling your arthritis while minimizing side effects. Methotrexate is taken once a week, not daily. Mistakenly taking it daily can cause severe, even life-threatening side effects. Use pill organizers with clear labels, and set phone reminders for weekly medications.

Never stop taking arthritis medications suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Many of these drugs need to be tapered gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms or disease flares. If side effects are bothering you, call your doctor to discuss alternatives rather than stopping on your own.

Understand the difference between medication side effects and disease flares. Sometimes joint pain or fatigue increases because your arthritis is getting worse, not because of medication side effects. Working with your healthcare team helps you figure out what's causing new symptoms and how to address them.

Store medications properly. Some biologic injections need refrigeration, while other medications should be kept at room temperature. Check expiration dates regularly and properly dispose of expired medications. Your pharmacy can tell you about medication take-back programs in your area.

The Balance Between Benefits and Risks

Reading about all these potential side effects can feel overwhelming. It's important to remember why treatment matters.

Why Treatment Matters

Untreated inflammatory arthritis doesn't just cause joint pain. Over time, chronic inflammation permanently damages joints, leading to deformity and disability. The inflammation also affects your cardiovascular system. Studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis increases heart attack risk by 68 percent and cardiovascular disease risk by 48 percent.

Treating arthritis aggressively early on helps prevent this damage. While medications come with risks, those risks are generally much smaller than the risks of leaving the disease untreated. Most people with arthritis who take medications as prescribed live full, active lives with well-controlled symptoms.

Working With Your Healthcare Team

Modern arthritis treatment involves shared decision-making between you and your healthcare team. You know how symptoms and side effects affect your daily life, while your doctor understands the medical aspects of treatment. Together, you can find the approach that works best for you.

Be honest about your concerns regarding medications. If you're worried about specific side effects, tell your doctor. There might be alternatives that work differently, or your doctor might have strategies to minimize the side effects you're concerned about. If one medication causes intolerable side effects, others might work better for you.

Finding the right medication sometimes takes patience. The first drug your doctor tries might not be the perfect fit. Give each medication an adequate trial period, usually three to six months for DMARDs, unless side effects become serious. Your doctor can adjust doses or try different medications until you find the best balance of effectiveness and tolerability.

Realistic Expectations

Not everyone experiences side effects from arthritis medications. Many people tolerate them very well with minimal or no problems. The lists of potential side effects sound scary because drug manufacturers must report everything that happened in clinical trials, even if it was rare.

Most side effects that do occur are temporary. Nausea, fatigue, and other common complaints often improve significantly after the first few months as your body adjusts. The monitoring system exists specifically to catch problems early when they're easier to manage.

When you look at the numbers, serious side effects are uncommon. As one rheumatologist told patients, the risk of a serious side effect is less than 5 percent, while the risk of disease progression without treatment is about 100 percent. Those are pretty good odds in favor of treatment.

How a Solace Advocate Can Help

Managing arthritis medications involves keeping track of multiple appointments, lab work, side effects, and questions for your doctor. A Solace advocate can help by coordinating your care, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. We schedule and track all your monitoring appointments and lab work, sending you reminders and making sure results get to your doctor on time.

We translate medical information into plain language. When your lab results come back with numbers and abbreviations you don't understand, we explain what they mean for your treatment. We help you understand what changes in your numbers indicate and whether they require action.

Tracking your symptoms is easier with support. We help you keep detailed records of side effects and prepare for doctor appointments with the right questions. Before appointments, we review your symptom journal with you and help you prioritize what to discuss. We can join your appointments to help communicate concerns about side effects and ensure your care team understands how medication affects your daily life.

If you need to switch medications due to side effects, we coordinate with your pharmacy and insurance to minimize gaps in treatment. We handle prior authorizations, check for patient assistance programs if cost is a concern, and make sure you understand how to take your new medication.

We're your voice when you need one. Sometimes it's hard to advocate for yourself, especially when you're not feeling well. We can communicate with your healthcare team on your behalf, making sure your concerns are heard and addressed. You don't have to navigate the complexity of arthritis medications alone. A Solace advocate ensures you have support at every step, from understanding your treatment plan to knowing when a symptom needs attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Side Effects from Arthritis Medication

How long do side effects from arthritis medications typically last?

Many common side effects improve within the first two to three months as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea, fatigue, and mild digestive issues often decrease with time. However, some side effects require medication adjustments. If side effects persist beyond a few months or significantly impact your quality of life, talk with your doctor about alternatives or dosage changes. Keep in mind that different people respond differently. What one person experiences might be completely different from what you experience.

Do I need to have blood work done even if I feel fine?

Yes. Many serious medication side effects, like liver enzyme elevations or low blood cell counts, don't cause symptoms until they become severe. Regular monitoring catches these problems early when they're easier to address. Your doctor determines your monitoring schedule based on your specific medications and risk factors. Missing monitoring appointments could mean problems go undetected until they're much harder to treat. Think of it like maintaining your car. You change the oil on schedule even when the car seems fine because waiting for problems to develop causes bigger issues.

Can I take over-the-counter pain relievers with my arthritis medications?

It depends on which medications you're taking. Combining NSAIDs like ibuprofen with certain arthritis medications can increase bleeding risk or reduce effectiveness. Taking multiple NSAIDs together also raises the risk of stomach ulcers and kidney damage. Acetaminophen is often safer but can stress the liver when combined with medications like methotrexate. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any over-the-counter medications, including pain relievers, cold medicines, and sleep aids. Many contain ingredients that could interact with your arthritis medications.

What should I do if I miss a dose of my arthritis medication?

For weekly medications like methotrexate, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's within a few days of your next scheduled dose. Don't take double doses. For daily medications, take it when you remember unless it's almost time for the next dose. Never double up on doses without checking with your healthcare provider first. Set phone reminders to help prevent missed doses. If you frequently forget medications, talk with your doctor about strategies to improve adherence, like using pill organizers or linking medication-taking to daily habits like brushing your teeth.

When should I consider switching to a different arthritis medication?

Consider discussing a medication change if side effects significantly interfere with your daily life, preventing you from working, sleeping, or doing activities you enjoy. If you're not seeing adequate symptom relief after an appropriate trial period (usually three to six months for DMARDs), it might be time to try something different. Concerning lab results that persist despite dosage adjustments could also warrant switching medications. Your rheumatologist can help you weigh the benefits and risks of switching versus adjusting your current treatment. Sometimes small dosage changes or adding supportive medications can address side effects without requiring a complete switch.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.

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