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5 New Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis You Should Know About

Rheumatoid arthritis can make everyday activities painful and exhausting. Thankfully, new treatments in 2025 are giving patients better control over flare-ups, joint damage, and inflammation—with fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief. From next-gen injectables to unexpected therapies, innovation is making a big impact.

Here are 5 new RA treatments to know, with the most surprising at the end.

1. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq)

A newer JAK inhibitor, upadacitinib is taken once daily as a pill and helps block inflammation at the source. It’s approved for moderate to severe RA and can be used when methotrexate doesn’t work.

  • Benefits: Rapid symptom relief, reduces morning stiffness
  • Why it matters: Offers an alternative to injections or biologics

2. Abatacept (Orencia) Subcutaneous Auto-Injector

While abatacept isn’t new, the latest version allows for self-injection at home with a simplified auto-injector, improving access and convenience for RA patients.

  • Benefits: Less time in clinics, steady control of symptoms
  • Why it matters: Great for long-term disease management with fewer immune system side effects

3. Bimekizumab

This dual-action biologic blocks both IL-17A and IL-17F, cytokines heavily involved in inflammation. While still being studied for RA, it's gaining ground after success in treating psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

  • Benefits: Targets multiple inflammatory pathways
  • Why it matters: May help patients unresponsive to other biologics

4. Filgotinib

Another promising oral JAK inhibitor, filgotinib has shown strong results in reducing RA symptoms with fewer gastrointestinal side effects than earlier JAKs.

  • Benefits: Daily pill with targeted action and reduced side effects
  • Why it matters: Expands oral treatment options for RA patients

5. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

This surprising non-drug therapy uses a small device to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can reduce systemic inflammation through the nervous system. It’s being explored for RA patients who are resistant to medications.

  • Benefits: Drug-free, no long-term organ toxicity
  • Why it matters: Shows promise in treating autoimmune inflammation through neuromodulation

How These Treatments Improve RA Management

These new therapies focus on:

  • Targeted inflammation control
  • Minimizing joint damage progression
  • Offering drug-free or less invasive options
  • Improving daily mobility and long-term quality of life

Most are suitable for patients who haven’t responded well to traditional disease-modifying drugs like methotrexate.

Conclusion

From next-gen pills and injectables to unexpected nerve-stimulating therapies, 2025 is offering more hope than ever for rheumatoid arthritis patients. If you’re struggling with flare-ups, stiffness, or resistance to older treatments, talk to your rheumatologist about these new options—your next breakthrough may already be here.

Sources

American College of Rheumatology – https://www.rheumatology.org

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – https://www.niams.nih.gov

Rinvoq (Upadacitinib) – https://www.rinvoq.com

ClinicalTrials.gov – https://www.clinicaltrials.gov

Healthline RA Updates – https://www.healthline.com