Review of medications used in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition. The goal of therapy is to control pain, preserve joint range of motion and function, minimize systemic complications, and assist in normal growth and development. Recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of arthritis have expanded the treatment of this chronic condition. Many medications including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologic agents, and cytotoxic agents are available for treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Emergency medicine physicians should be familiar with the different classes and adverse effects of these drugs.