Table 4

Effect of anti-inflammatory medications on cardiovascular risk

Anti-inflammatory agentCardiovascular events
csDMARDsMethotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquineDecreased
tsDMARDsBaricitinib, tofacitinib and upadacitinibUnknown
bDMARDsAdalimumab (anti-TNF), certolizumab (anti-TNF), golimumab (anti-TNF), infliximab (anti-TNF), tocilizumab (anti-IL-6), sarilumab (anti-IL-6), abatacept (anti-T cell costimulation), rituximab (anti-B cell) and anakinra (anti-IL-1)Decreased
NSAIDsDiclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, nabumetone, celecoxib and etoricoxibConflicting data, possibly increased
GlucocorticosteroidsPrednis(ol)one, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone and dexamethasoneIncreased, but dose-dependent and duration-dependent
  • bDMARDs, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; csDMARDs, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; IL, interleukin; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; TNF, tumour necrosis factor; tsDMARDs, targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.