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Table 3 Summary of the side effects of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy identified by patients within the study

From: “Living a normal life”: a qualitative study of patients’ views of medication withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis

Organ system

Side-effect

Gastrointestinal

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, hepatitis, bowel disturbance

Skin

Rash, bruising, stinging at injection site (biologics), hair loss

General health

Fatigue, mood swings, weight gain

Miscellaneous

Increased infection risk, blood cell abnormalities, change in urine colour, possible increased cancer risk