There are many safe and effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, including biologics and other specialised medicines. Use the latest evidence to help you make decisions about your treatments in partnership with your rheumatologist.
For consumers
About inflammatory arthritis
- There are many different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are all types of inflammatory arthritis. These conditions are caused by the immune system attacking the tissues of your own body.
- Safe and effective treatments are available to control inflammatory arthritis, reducing symptoms and preventing joint damage.
- Take your medicine as prescribed to avoid long-term damage to your joints, even if you are feeling well.
- If you are doing well, your rheumatologist may suggest reducing your medicine dose or how often you take it. It’s important that you work closely with your rheumatologist to find the treatment approach that’s right for you.
- Talk to your health professional if you have any concerns about your medicines.
- For biological medicines, there may be a biosimilar medicine available. Biosimilar medicines have been tested and shown to be as safe and effective as the reference biological medicine. Talk to your rheumatologist about whether a biosimilar is right for you.
- Develop a plan with your rheumatologist on how you will manage a flare.
Information to help you manage your arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
- Starting medicine for rheumatoid arthritis - triple therapy factsheet and decision aid
Helps you decide whether to start taking methotrexate on its own, or take it with one or two other medicines - Rheumatoid arthritis roadmap
Helps you navigate life with rheumatoid arthritis, from diagnosis to finding treatment that works for you. - Low-dose methotrexate action plan
Helps you discuss methotrexate with your rheumatologist and plan the best way to take your medicine. -
Safe use of low-dose methotrexate factsheet
Helping you use low-dose methotrexate safely - Reducing medicine dose for well-controlled RA factsheet
Find out more about why reducing the amount of biological or targeted medicine you take might be possible. - Reducing medicine dose for well-controlled RA decision aid
Helps you make decisions with your rheumatologist about possibly lowering your medicine dose. - Managing arthritis flare action plan
Helps you and your rheumatologist plan how to manage a flare.
Psoriatic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis roadmap
Helps you navigate life with psoriatic arthritis, from diagnosis to finding treatment that works for you. - Low-dose methotrexate action plan
Helps you discuss methotrexate with your rheumatologist and plan the best way to take your medicine. - Safe use of low-dose methotrexate factsheet
Helping you use low-dose methotrexate safely - Managing arthritis flare action plan
Helps you and your rheumatologist plan how to manage a flare. - Consumer-friendly resources about plaque psoriasis
Many people with psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis affecting their skin.
Ankylosing spondylitis
- Ankylosing spondylitis roadmap
Helps you navigate life with ankylosing spondylitis, from diagnosis to finding treatment that works for you. - Managing arthritis flare action plan
Helps you and your rheumatologist prepare a plan for how to manage a flare of your ankylosing spondylitis.
Translated resources
The above resources are available in Arabic, simplified Chinese (Mandarin) and Vietnamese.
Living with Arthritis – Australians talk about their treatment journeys
Hear the stories of people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Living with rheumatoid arthritis: Suzanne’s story
Treating inflammatory arthritis
Further information
- Understanding biosimilars
If you use a biological medicine to treat or keep a chronic condition under control, then you may have heard your doctor mention a group of medicines called biosimilars. Read on to learn more - Biological medicines and COVID-19 FAQs
Biological medicines are being studied for their effectiveness and safety as a treatment for COVID-19. Here’s what we know so far.
References
MedicineWise App
The MedicineWise app is a free health and medicines management app. Features have been developed to support people with inflammatory arthritis, including a dose tracker to manage complex dosing or stepping up or stepping down of medicines. The MedicineWise app can:
- keep track of your medicines and remind you when your medicine doses and appointments are due
- store your information such as your health conditions and allergies
- allow you to share your health information with your health professionals and people who may be caring for you
- provide you with trusted, relevant and up-to-date information relating to your medicines and your health conditions
 |
 |
Practical support for newly diagnosed patients
Helping consumers and health professionals make safe and wise therapeutic decisions about biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and other specialised medicines. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing bDMARDs Program Grant.
