At Paragon, we work with rheumatologists from all over the nation to treat rheumatic conditions. A rheumatologist is a doctor that specializes in the study of musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions. They diagnose and manage disorders of the joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and other connective tissues. There are many types of rheumatic diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to gout. 

Paragon provides the most advanced specialty medications to treat rheumatic conditions. We specialize in injectable, infusible, and oral drugs to provide our patients with the best therapeutic option suited for them. The most commonly treated rheumatic conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis. The medications we offer may be self-administered in the comfort of your own home or may require a healthcare provider to administer it for you at one of our infusion centers. 

Common Rheumatic Conditions We Treat:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis – An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the soft tissue lining the joints, leading to painful inflammation that can eventually damage and deform the joints.
• Psoriatic Arthritis – A type of arthritis that affects the joints (causing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling) along with the skin disease psoriasis (which causes red, itchy, scaly patches of skin).
• Crohn's Disease – An inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and malnutrition.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Also called lupus, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, causing inflammation throughout the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, lungs, heart, and brain.
• Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis – A skin disease that causes red, itchy, and scaly patches, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. 
• Osteoporosis – A condition where the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the loss of old bone, leading to weak and brittle bones. The bones become so fragile that the risks of fractures are significantly increased (most commonly in the hip, wrist, or spine).
• Ankylosing Spondylitis – An inflammatory disease that causes the bones in the spine to fuse, making the spine less flexible and hunched. It can also cause inflammation in the eyes, ribs, hips, and shoulders.  
• And more

Each person's experience with a rheumatic condition is different. Every patient faces different challenges and presents with different symptoms. Paragon's goal is to provide our patients with the best therapeutic option to relieve their symptoms, overcome their challenges, prevent disease progression, and help them adhere to their rheumatologist's treatment plan. 

Rheumatic Disease Symptoms:

• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Joint tenderness
• Loss of motion in joints
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Rashes or red, itchy, scaly patches 
• And more

Treatments We Offer:

• Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It works by blocking TNF-alpha, which prevents and reduces the inflammatory process and helps stops joint damage. Cimzia is available as an injectable that can be self-administered after proper training. It can be injected into the thighs or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Cosentyx (secukinumab) – Commonly used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis by preventing and reducing inflammation. Cosentyx is available as an injectable that can be self-administered after proper training. It can be injected into the thighs, upper outer arms, or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Enbrel (etanercept) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis by preventing and reducing inflammation and preventing joint damage from getting worse. Enbrel is available as an injectable that can be self-administered after proper training. It can be injected into the thighs, upper outer arms, or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Humira (adalimumab) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It works by blocking TNF-alpha, which prevents and reduces the inflammatory process and stops joint damage. Humira is available as an injectable that can be self-administered after proper training. It can be injected into the thighs or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Olumiant (baricitinib) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which helps reduce joint inflammation. Olumiant is available as a tablet to be taken by mouth. 
• Prolia (denosumab) – Commonly used to treat osteoporosis by preventing the breakdown of bones and increasing bone mass. Prolia is available as an injectable, which must be administered by a healthcare professional. 
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which helps reduce joint inflammation. Rinvoq is available as a tablet to be taken by mouth. 
• Simponi (golimumab) – Commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis by blocking TNF-alpha, which prevents and reduces the inflammatory process and stops joint damage. Simponi is available as an infusion, which is to be administered intravenously by a healthcare provider. It is also available as an injectable that can be self-administered after proper training. The injectable can be injected into the thighs, upper outer arms, or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Stelara (ustekinumab) – Commonly used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It works by blocking IL-12 and IL-23, which prevents and reduces the inflammatory process. Stelara is available as an injectable that can be self-administered by injection after proper training. It can be injected into the thighs, upper outer arms, or stomach (2 inches away from the belly button) on a clean and intact surface of the skin free of lesions and scars.
• Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) – Commonly used to treat psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which helps reduce joint inflammation. Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR are available as tablets to be taken by mouth. 

Paragon is here to help improve each of our patients' quality of life. When we receive a medication and supply order, we move quickly to ensure our patients promptly receive everything they need.

If you or a loved one are seeking a healthcare company that puts people first, tell your provider that you want to join the Paragon family. We treat a wide range of conditions that fall under dermatology, gastroenterology, immunology, hepatology, rheumatology, and more. Some of the most common conditions that we treat include multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn's Disease, primary immune deficiency, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Contact us today and learn more through our Paragon Specialty page.