My rheumatoid arthritis is under control: what should I do about my medicine?

Biological or targeted medicines for rheumatoid arthritis are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs). They target the immune system, helping to decrease inflammation, pain and joint damage.

Your rheumatologist has assessed that you can carefully reduce your biological or targeted medicine because: 

• your rheumatoid arthritis has been under control (in ‘remission’) for at least 6 months, and 
• you have already stopped taking oral glucocorticoids, or reduced to the lowest possible dose, and 
• your symptoms have a good chance of staying under control if you reduce your medicine. 

Some people find it more convenient to take fewer tablets and have fewer injections or infusions. 

Your decision to reduce or continue taking the same amount depends on how you feel about what’s involved.

• If you continue to take the same amount of your biological or targeted medicine, your rheumatologist may ask if you wish to consider reducing the amount you take at your next visit.
• If you decide to reduce the amount you take, you may keep taking the same dose but take it less often or take a smaller dose each time you take your medicine.
• The aim of both approaches is the same – to help you safely control your rheumatoid arthritis using the smallest amount of medicine possible.
  

After 6–12 months, whether you reduce or continue taking the same amount of medicine, there is little or no difference in symptom severity or duration, physical function, serious side effects (such as infections requiring hospital treatment), need to change medicines, or need to stop medicines due to side effects.

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