Sometimes, it is necessary for a doctor to try a number of different types of treatments to see what is going to work best for you as an individual. Although you may fall under the blanket term of rheumatoid arthritis, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to be the same as the next person that comes into their office with the same condition. Sometimes, you may be given a prescription for multiple medications but none of them work and if that is the case, your doctor may prescribe Rituxan. This medication can either be used on its own or it can be used with the drug methotrexate to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rituxan is provided in the form of an infusion and it helps to reduce the inflammation by targeting the B cells. This medication may also be used for other conditions, including for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other diseases. Although the medication was initially developed to be used as an anticancer drug, it has shown some benefit because it suppresses the immune system. The same is also true of methotrexate, which can sometimes be used along with the drug.

If you are suffering from moderate to severe RA and you have not responded to other types of treatments, Dr. Lavery may decide that this is the best treatment for you. Make sure that you talk to him about all of the medications you are using, as well as providing him with additional information about your arthritis and any other conditions you are experiencing.