Anemia, Joint, and Neuromuscular Medications

Anemia

It occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Symptoms include fatigue (tiredness), shortness of breath, headache, rapid heart rate, pale skin, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and leg cramps.

Ferrous Sulfate

Fer-in-sol, Ferosol
Indication: Anemia

Ferrous Gluconate

Ferate
Indication: Anemia

Ferrous Fumarate

Ferretts, Fumerin
Indication: Anemia

Folic Acid

FA-8
Indication: Anemia

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Dodex
Indication: Anemia

Polysaccharide iron complex (IV only)

Myferon, Ferrex
Indication: Anemia

Epoetin alfa (IV only)

Procrit, Epogen
Indication: Anemia

Darbepoetin alfa

Aranesp
Indication: Anemia

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease that causes the body’s own immune system to attack the joints. Symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, joint swelling, and morning stiffness.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

They halt disease progression and prevent joint damage. The downsides are that they become less effective over time and they are associated with significant side effects, such as increased infection risk, liver damage, and infertility.

Biologic drugs

They are newer, more expensive treatments that target specific molecules to prevent disease progression.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

They are used to control joint pain and inflammation.

Adalimumab

Humira
Biologic
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Etanercept

Enbrel
Biologic
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Infliximab

Remicade
Biologic
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Abatacept

Orencia
Biologic
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Tocilizumab

Actemra
Biologic
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Leflunomide

Arava
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Methotrexate

Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Hydroxychloroquine

Plaquenil
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Sulfasalazine

Azulfidine
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Azathioprine

Imuran
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Tofacitinib

Xeljanz
DMARD
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Diclofenac

Cambia, Lofena, Zipsor
NSAID
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Ibuprofen

Motrin
NSAID
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Naproxen

Naprosyn, Aleve
NSAID
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Meloxicam

Anjeso
NSAID
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Celecoxib

Celebrex
NSAID
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoporosis

Low bone mineral density that results in deterioration of bone tissue, bone fragility, and increased risk of bone fracture. Symptoms include bone pain, bone fractures, and loss of height.

Ibandronate

(No brand on market)
Bisphosphonate
Indication: Osteoporosis

Risedronate

Actonel
Bisphosphonate
Indication: Osteoporosis

Alendronate

Fosamax
Bisphosphonate
Indication: Osteoporosis

Calcium citrate

Citracal
Calcium supplement
Indication: Osteoporosis

Calcium carbonate

Tums
Calcium supplement
Indication: Osteoporosis

Raloxifene

Evista
Estrogen receptor modulator
Indication: Osteoporosis

Gout

A disease caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints. This leads to joint pain, inflammation, and swelling. Patients may also experience fever, chills, and general body aches.

Uric acid

A product of the metabolism of ribose, a sugar that is found in RNA

Probenecid

(No brand on market)
Uricosuric drug
Indication: Gout

Allopurinol

Zyloprim, Aloprim
Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Indication: Gout

Febuxostat

Uloric
Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Indication: Gout

Colchicine

Colcrys
Anti-inflammatory
Indication: Gout

Indomethacin

Indocin
Anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
Indication: Gout

Parkinson’s disease (PD)

A chronic, progressive neuromuscular disorder in which the brain has difficulty communicating with the muscles. Symptoms include tremors, muscle rigidity (stiffness), akinesia (an inability to initiate movement), bradykinesia (slowed movements), postural instability, abnormal gait (walk), difficulty standing, drooling, decreased blinking, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dysphasia (difficulty speaking), constipation, and urinary incontinence.

Dopaminergic drugs

They mimic dopamine in the body by binding to and stimulating dopamine receptors.

MAO-B inhibitors

They block an enzyme called monoamine oxidase type B that breaks down dopamine in the body. Preventing the breakdown of dopamine leads to an increase in dopamine levels.

Anticholinergic drugs

They block the effects of acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter that is involved in muscle movements.

Carbidopa-levodopa

Sinemet
Dopaminergic
Indication: PD

Bromocriptine

Parlodel
Dopaminergic
Indication: PD

Pramipexole

Mirapex ER
Dopaminergic
Indication: PD

Rotigotine

Neupro (patch available)
Dopaminergic
Indication: PD

Selegiline

Eldepryl, Zelapar
MAO-B inhibitor
Indication: PD

Rasagiline

Azilect
MAO-B inhibitor
Indication: PD

Amantadine

Gocovri, Osmolex
MAO-B inhibitor
Indication: PD

Benztropine

Cogentin
Anticholinergic
Indication: PD