RA: To Taper or Not to Taper DMARDs?

Dr. Truslow performs a routine examination of the hand of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cost and side effects are just two reasons why a patient may ask you if they can quit taking their medication. The "2021 ACR Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis" makes clear that drug cessation can be done in different ways. Read the full article from The Rheumatologist, June 2021: "The ACR Releases an Updated Treatment Guideline for Rheumatoid Arthritis."

If a patient has a preference to discontinue a DMARD, tapering and discontinuation may be considered if:

The patient has been in low disease activity or remission for at least six months and will continue to take a therapeutic dose of at least one DMARD.

The patient has been in remission for at least one year and will continue to take a therapeutic dose of at least one DMARD.

The patient has been in low disease activity or remission for at least six months and will continue on a biologic DMARD as monotherapy.