How do medications treat mixed connective tissue disease?

Medications used to treat mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) include corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other immunosuppressants. Although they do not offer a cure, they do help manage the symptoms and signs of MCTD. Corticosteroids such as prednisone and other immunosuppressants usually do this by regulating the immune system so that it stops attacking the body's own healthy tissue and by reducing inflammation. NSAIDs relieve the pain associated with MCTD and also reduce inflammation.