But research has found that as little as 57 percent of people who have psoriatic arthritis take medications as prescribed.
Before you skip the next dose, talk to your doctor about what’s bothering you. “It’s always better to try to address the underlying issue, so you can continue taking your medication as prescribed or find better alternatives,” says Angelica Gierut, MD, a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine in Warrenville, Illinois.
Here are six reasons you may be tempted to stop taking medications — and why you shouldn’t.
1. The Disease Seems to Be in Remission
When psoriatic arthritis treatment is working well, you should experience few or no symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling. As a result, you might wonder why you have to continue taking the medication.
The truth is, if you stop the meds, you’re at risk of symptoms returning. One small study on the effects of withdrawal from biologics found that symptoms returned within two years for 85 percent of the participants with psoriatic arthritis who had stopped taking medication. What’s more, another study found that interrupting biologic treatment increases the risk of developing a resistance to these drugs.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends continuing to take medication, even if you have low disease activity. Talk to your doctor about potentially lowering the dose or stopping one medication if you currently take several.
2. You’re Dissatisfied With Treatment
Results from a survey of a quarter million people with psoriatic disease found that anywhere from 66 to 84 percent of respondents found treatment burdensome, depending on whether the treatment was topical, taken orally, or injected.
If you’re not satisfied with the treatment regimen you’re on for any reason — cost, method of administration, side effects — you’re more likely to consider stopping it altogether. But there are many psoriatic arthritis medications to choose from, and even more are coming down the pike. If you’re unhappy with the medication you’re currently taking, work with your doctor to find a drug that works for you.
3. You’ve Already Missed One Dose
When life gets busy, it’s easy to occasionally forget to take medication. Missing a dose likely won’t cause a major arthritis flare, according to Dr. Gierut. But it’s important to get back on track as soon as possible.
Talk to your doctor about what to do if you miss a dose. If you need help remembering to take medication on time, try using a pill organizer or putting reminders in your smartphone or on your daily calendar.
4. You’re Dealing With Uncomfortable Side Effects
Results from another survey of people with psoriatic disease found that the majority of respondents who reported being “very or quite dissatisfied” with treatment cited side effects as the reason.
If you’re experiencing medication side effects, such as headache or stomach upset, discuss them with your doctor. Together, you can work to find ways to manage side effects. With your doctor’s approval, you may even be able to lower the dose until you can build up a tolerance or even switch to another medication instead.
Call your doctor immediately if side effects are serious, such as a high fever, a major rash, or shortness of breath.
5. The Medication Is Too Expensive
Some research has found that total healthcare costs for biologics can range from about $19,000 to $60,000, depending on which biologic is prescribed. And the price tag can potentially be more than $500,000 for the most expensive options.
The good news: Most insurance companies should cover a large portion of these prescription drug costs. Even with good insurance, though, the out-of-pocket costs for biologics can still be high.
If you’re having trouble paying for psoriatic arthritis medication, talk to your doctor. “Rheumatologists can suggest alternatives that may be less costly for patients,” Gierut says. Or your doctor may be able to help you find a drug assistance program to cover some of the costs, either through the drug’s manufacturer or private foundations.
6. You Prefer Natural Remedies
Before adding complementary therapies to a psoriatic arthritis treatment plan, carefully review your options with your rheumatologist.
The Takeaway
- Stopping psoriatic arthritis treatment on your own often leads to an increase in symptoms and flares and can lead to disease progression.
- Be open and honest with your doctor about any issues preventing you from sticking to the treatment plan.
- Together, you and your doctor can come up with a solution to keep psoriatic arthritis under control.
Additional reporting by Nina Wasserman.
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