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Is Diprofos An Effective Medication For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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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.
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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
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Answered by
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Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Rheumatologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 754 Questions

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Is Diprofos An Effective Medication For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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