JIA Treatment Options
Treatment of your child's disease involves many things. Physical and occupational
therapy may be used to help restore lost joint motion, to keep joints flexible and
active, to strengthen muscles, while helping to improve fitness and endurance. Medications
are used to reduce inflammation, relieve swelling and pain, and control symptoms.
Types of medications include:
- Analgesics – such as acetaminophen
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)- such as methotrexate
- Biologics - an advanced class of medications used to treat polyarticular JIA.
In more severe cases, surgeries may be performed to relieve pain, replace damaged
joints, or help improve joint position.
Your child’s pediatric rheumatologist will decide on which treatment is right based
on the needs and concerns of you and your child.
HUMIRA can help
HUMIRA (adalimumab), a biologic, can help block the bad effects of TNF, a protein
made in the body. HUMIRA is used in children 4 years of age and older to reduce
the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe polyarticular JIA. HUMIRA can be used
alone or with methotrexate or with certain other medicines.