In this article, we review the main highlights of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and biological agents were evaluated and summarized. There is an emphasis on drug therapy as it has developed and evolved from empirical relief of symptoms with salicylates to targeted intervention in the immunoinflammatory process. If one accepts the thesis that both the acute and chronic consequences of RA are due to persistent misdirected and inadequately controlled inflammation that causes tissue destruction and loss of function, then prolonged complete control of the abnormal inflammatory process is the fundamental first step in the management of all patients with RA. The management of persistent or recurrent inflammation continues to be a challenge. Further studies are needed to develop more targeted therapies in order to stop the progression of the disease.  Kulcsszavak: rheumatoid arthritis, terápia, nem szteroid gyulladáscsökkentők, glükokortikoidok, betegségmódosító reumaellenes szerek, biológiai szerek