Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, rapid-acting medications that reduce inflammation, are associated with significant long-term side effects and should be used with caution only to provide temporary symptomatic relief. The lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time is recommended when using corticosteroids for symptom control.[4] The ACRSRA suggests that systemic steroids can be used as "bridging therapy" during the period when DMARDs have been initiated but have not yet taken effect.[4] This time period will vary, depending on the medication chosen and the patient's response. Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids have shown to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation in individual joints, but their use should be limited to 3 or 4 times per year.[4]