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Rheumatoid arthritis and the pharmaceutical
industry
The corticosteroids in Rheumatoid arthritis
The corticosteroids have multiple actions on the human body
and are used in a wide range of diseases. Their use in RA
tends not to be continuous, but most people with progressive
disease are likely to need steroids at some time during their
illness. Corticosteroids that are currently available include
hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone,
triamcinolone, betamethazone and dexamethazone.
The choice of corticosteroid and the route of administration
(by mouth, by injection or direct injection into the joint)
is very much a medical decision and will depend on the reason
for its use. Corticosteroids are marketed by several companies,
namely Bristol Myers Squibb, Evans, Glaxo Wellcome, Knoll,
Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Shire Pharmaceuticals
and Wyeth. A new medicine in this area is rimexolone,
which has been developed by Organon. It has proved effective
when given by injection into the joint and appears to lack
some of the general side effects of other corticosteroids.
A decision whether or not to introduce the compound is pending.
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