Is Diprofos An Effective Medication For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016

Question: I have just been diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis, Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was injected with Diprofos and had a most positive result in lowering the swelling in all my joints and lowering the fluid retention in my joints. Needless to say, the pain beforehand was unbearable. Now I need to understand and know what Diprofos is and why it helped me so quickly. Is it a steroid? Is it dangerous taking this medication? How often can I take it or is it one of those things that can only be taken very rarely? Thank you for giving me your time.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on health care magic

Well, yes that is a steroid injection( Betamethasone)...Rather one of the most potent steroids. It has an immediate effect and that s why you are feeling better suddenly. But then again, it is not the treatment of choice for long run.

We use it a bridging therapy.. That is...You need to be started on proper medications if the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis is confirmed...Like Methotrexate or Leflunomide. Since these medicines are slow acting and take 4-6 weeks to act, we use these steroid injections during that period. It does help in reducing the inflammation and giving quick relief.. But on continuous basis, it does come with a lot of side effects like high blood sugars, cataracts..

You can use it initially...But later on the use should come only when the disease flares..Just to settle it. ( should be used rarely)...

Consult your rheumatologist and ask them to start you on DMARDS( Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs)

I hope the information was useful. Do let me know for more queries. WOuld sort it out for you

Regards
Dr Naval

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar