Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Arthritis drugs are a significant part of most arthritis treatment regimens. Arthritis patients are often eager to learn about newer arthritis drugs. The past decade has brought us at least 10 new drugs for arthritis and related conditions -- and the next decade promises more. Here are some of the most important drugs that were approved by the FDA between 2000 and 2009 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, and gout.
Kineret (anakinra) Approved by FDA for RA on 11/14/2001
Kineret was approved for rheumatoid arthritis patients who have failed one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).
It is the first selective blocker of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a protein that is found in excess in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Humira (adalimumab) Approved by FDA for RA on 12/31/2002
Humira is the first human monoclonal antibody approved for reducing the signs and symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural damage in adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an insufficient or inadequate response to one or more DMARDs.
Orencia (abatacept) Approved by FDA for RA on 12/26/2005
Orencia is the first T-cell co-stimulation modulator approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Meaning, Orencia blocks the signal in the blood that is necessary for T cells to do their damage. T cells play a role in causing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rituxan (rituximab) Approved by FDA for RA on 3/1/2006
Rituxan is the first treatment for rheumatoid arthritis which selectively targets B-cells. Though rheumatoid arthritis has previously been considered a T-cell-mediated disease, other research has revealed that B-cells play roles in the initiation and development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lyrica (pregabalin) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 6/21/2007
Lyrica was previously approved for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and as an additional therapy for adults with partial onset seizures. Until the approval of Lyrica capsules, no medicine was specifically approved to treat fibromyalgia.
Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 6/16/2008
Cymbalta is the first serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved by the FDA to alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is thought that by increasing the activity of two naturally-occurring substances -- serotonin and norepinephrine -- it suppresses pain.
Savella (milnacipran HCl) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 1/14/2009
As a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, also known as SSNRI, Savella increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity in the brain. This is important for fibromyalgia patients because low brain norepinephrine levels are thought to be related to increased pain and cognitive difficulties.
Uloric (febuxostat) Approved by FDA for Gout on 2/13/2009
Uloric is the first new treatment option in 40 years for patients who have hyperuricemia and gout. Uloric lowers serum uric acid levels by blocking xanthine oxidase -- the enyzme responsible for uric acid production.
Simponi (golimumab) Approved by FDA to Treat Three Conditions on 4/24/2009
Simponi (a TNF-alpha blocker), alone or in combination with methotrexate, was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis.
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) Approved by FDA for RA on 5/14/2009
Cimzia is a TNF blocker -- the same class of drugs as Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, and Simponi. Cimzia is the only drug in the TNF class that is touted to be less toxic to cells because of its chemical properties.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Arthritis drugs are a significant part of most arthritis treatment regimens. Arthritis patients are often eager to learn about newer arthritis drugs. The past decade has brought us at least 10 new drugs for arthritis and related conditions -- and the next decade promises more. Here are some of the most important drugs that were approved by the FDA between 2000 and 2009 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, and gout.
Kineret (anakinra) Approved by FDA for RA on 11/14/2001
Kineret was approved for rheumatoid arthritis patients who have failed one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).
It is the first selective blocker of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a protein that is found in excess in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Humira (adalimumab) Approved by FDA for RA on 12/31/2002
Humira is the first human monoclonal antibody approved for reducing the signs and symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural damage in adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an insufficient or inadequate response to one or more DMARDs.
Orencia (abatacept) Approved by FDA for RA on 12/26/2005
Orencia is the first T-cell co-stimulation modulator approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Meaning, Orencia blocks the signal in the blood that is necessary for T cells to do their damage. T cells play a role in causing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rituxan (rituximab) Approved by FDA for RA on 3/1/2006
Rituxan is the first treatment for rheumatoid arthritis which selectively targets B-cells. Though rheumatoid arthritis has previously been considered a T-cell-mediated disease, other research has revealed that B-cells play roles in the initiation and development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lyrica (pregabalin) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 6/21/2007
Lyrica was previously approved for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and as an additional therapy for adults with partial onset seizures. Until the approval of Lyrica capsules, no medicine was specifically approved to treat fibromyalgia.
Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 6/16/2008
Cymbalta is the first serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved by the FDA to alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is thought that by increasing the activity of two naturally-occurring substances -- serotonin and norepinephrine -- it suppresses pain.
Savella (milnacipran HCl) Approved by FDA for Fibromyalgia on 1/14/2009
As a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, also known as SSNRI, Savella increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity in the brain. This is important for fibromyalgia patients because low brain norepinephrine levels are thought to be related to increased pain and cognitive difficulties.
Uloric (febuxostat) Approved by FDA for Gout on 2/13/2009
Uloric is the first new treatment option in 40 years for patients who have hyperuricemia and gout. Uloric lowers serum uric acid levels by blocking xanthine oxidase -- the enyzme responsible for uric acid production.
Simponi (golimumab) Approved by FDA to Treat Three Conditions on 4/24/2009
Simponi (a TNF-alpha blocker), alone or in combination with methotrexate, was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis.
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) Approved by FDA for RA on 5/14/2009
Cimzia is a TNF blocker -- the same class of drugs as Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, and Simponi. Cimzia is the only drug in the TNF class that is touted to be less toxic to cells because of its chemical properties.