Key Takeaways
- Infusion therapy is generally considered when oral medications, like methotrexate, are no longer adequately controlling rheumatoid arthritis symptoms or disease progression.
- Signs that current treatment may not be working include ongoing joint swelling, worsening pain, and new areas of inflammation despite consistent medication use.
- Infusion therapy differs from oral RA medications because it delivers biologic drugs directly into the bloodstream, targeting the specific parts of the immune system driving inflammation.
- Most infusion appointments are scheduled every few weeks to a few months, depending on the medication, and are monitored by your rheumatology care team throughout.
- Before starting, it helps to ask your rheumatologist specific questions about which medication is recommended, how it is monitored, and what to expect at each visit.
- Denver Arthritis Clinic's rheumatologists can evaluate whether infusion therapy is the right next step for your rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan.
Signs Your Current RA Treatment May Not Be Working Effectively
Rheumatoid arthritis is typically managed first with oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, or hydroxychloroquine, according to Denver Arthritis Clinic's rheumatoid arthritis resource. For many patients, these medications help control inflammation and slow joint damage over time. But RA is a progressive condition, and treatment that worked well initially does not always continue to keep symptoms in check.
Signs that it may be time to revisit your treatment plan with your rheumatologist include:
- Joint swelling or pain that persists despite consistent medication use.
- New joints becoming affected that were not previously symptomatic.
- Morning stiffness that lasts longer than it used to.
- Fatigue or overall symptom burden that continues to increase.
- Lab results showing ongoing inflammation despite treatment.
None of these signs mean treatment has failed entirely, but they are strong reasons to schedule a follow-up rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
How Infusion Therapy Differs From Other RA Medications
Oral DMARDs and infusion biologics both aim to reduce the inflammation driving RA, but they work in different ways and are typically used at different points in a treatment plan.
| Oral DMARDs (e.g., methotrexate) | Infusion Biologics | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's taken | Pill, taken on a regular schedule at home | Delivered by IV at an infusion center |
| How it works | Broadly suppresses immune system activity | Targets specific proteins or cells driving inflammation (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-6) |
| Typical timing in treatment | Often the first line of treatment | Often considered when oral medications alone are not enough |
| Monitoring | Periodic bloodwork, typically less frequent visits | Ongoing monitoring during each infusion appointment |
| Dosing frequency | Daily, weekly, or as prescribed | Every few weeks to every couple of months, depending on the medication |
According to the Arthritis Foundation, biologic infusions such as infliximab and rituximab are often introduced when methotrexate or an initial biologic has not adequately controlled symptoms, since they target specific inflammatory pathways that oral DMARDs do not directly address.
What Patients Can Expect During Infusion Appointments
If your rheumatologist recommends infusion therapy, the process generally begins with a referral, followed by an insurance prior authorization step that typically takes about two weeks. Once approved, appointments take place at Denver Arthritis Clinic's infusion center, located in Lowry, Denver and Lone Tree, CO.
Appointment length depends on the specific medication. Some infusions take as little as 30 to 45 minutes, while others may take several hours. Patients are seated comfortably throughout, and the care team monitors for any reaction during the appointment. Because infusion therapy is coordinated by the same rheumatology team managing your overall RA care, your infusion schedule is tracked alongside your other appointments and lab work.
Questions to Ask Before Starting Infusion-Based Treatment
Before committing to infusion therapy, it is worth discussing the following with your rheumatologist:
- Why is this specific infusion medication being recommended for my case?
- How soon might I expect to see improvement in symptoms?
- What the appointment schedule and length will look like going forward.
- What side effects or infusion reactions to watch for, and how they are managed.
- How my insurance coverage and any prior authorization requirements will be handled.
- How will this treatment be monitored over time alongside my other RA symptoms?
Asking these questions upfront can help you feel more prepared and confident going into your first infusion appointment.
Talk to Your Rheumatologist About Infusion Therapy at Denver Arthritis Clinic
If oral medications are no longer keeping your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms under control, infusion therapy may be a meaningful next step in your treatment plan. Denver Arthritis Clinic's rheumatologists can evaluate your current treatment, discuss whether infusion therapy fits your specific case, and coordinate your care from referral through ongoing infusion appointments.
Talk to your rheumatologist about a referral to the Infusion Center at Denver Arthritis Clinic for infusion therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, or meet the Denver Arthritis Clinic rheumatology team to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need infusion therapy for rheumatoid arthritis?
Infusion therapy is typically considered when oral medications like methotrexate are not adequately controlling symptoms or disease progression. Ongoing joint swelling, worsening pain, or new symptomatic joints despite consistent treatment are all reasons to discuss infusion options with your rheumatologist.
What is the best infusion treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
There is no single best infusion medication for every patient. Options like infliximab, tocilizumab, abatacept, and rituximab each target different parts of the immune system, and your rheumatologist will recommend one based on your specific symptoms, treatment history, and lab results.
Is there an infusion center near me for RA treatment in Denver?
Denver Arthritis Clinic operates an infusion center at both its Lowry, Denver and Lone Tree, CO locations, with appointments coordinated by the same rheumatology team managing your ongoing RA care.
How long does infusion therapy for rheumatoid arthritis take to work?
This varies by medication and by patient, but many biologic infusions begin showing noticeable improvement in symptoms within several weeks of starting treatment. Your rheumatologist can give you a more specific timeline based on the medication you are prescribed.
