EDU: BRM's - Dosage - Side Effects - Ineractions - Warnings

[Guest guest]

First off, let me explain to you  newbies over the past couple of years that

EDU: in the subject line indicates that the topic is educational about Stills

Disease and related topics. There are usually links to sites where the

information is taken from. Since my father passed away in August 08, I have some

more free time than in the recent past despite fighting some 6 legal battles and

my own health. I can't promise regular EDU's like I used to do but I can promise

to try. I also wish to remind everyone that while I post informational EDU's, it

is just that. Information and Educational reading. Any ideas you get must be

discussed with your doctor prior to embarking as only s/he is capable of

evaluating the value of the information in your specific case. Nothing posted is

meant to take the place of your physician's care, knowledge, or judgement. No

EDU post is intended to diagnose or treat AOSD.  

 

Secondly, I have noticed that there have been some posts recently about taking

one BRM and wondering about switching to another for better effect. You need to

understand that there are different types of BRMS - and how they work is

different.  I decided an updated EDU about BRM's could be beneficial so here you

go.

 

Remicade (frequently used with Methotrexate), Enbrel (the first BRM in this

DMARD class released in 1998) and Humira (also a human monoclonal antibody) are

TNF blockers 

 

Drugs like Kineret (anakinera) are IL blockers. Kineret specifically is an IL -

1 (interleukin - 1) molecule inhibitor. There are studies being done in Japan on

IL-6 blockers that show promise in Juvenile RA, It's currently called MRA. I

could not find any trial medication for IL-18 which is being researched /

identified as an active molecule in AOSD patients and is elevated in AOSD

victims. I did find an article I found interesting about CRP, IL -18 and IL-6

levels being reduced by aerobic exercise. Since all of these are, or can

be elevated in Stills patients, I am including that link for those who wish to

read the information.

http://eclips.consult.com/eclips/article/Sports%20Medicine/S0162-0908(08)70383-0

 

Then there are drugs like Orencia that is a T-cell Co-stimulation modulator.

Raptiva (not yet proven for RA) is a humanized monoclonal antibody.

Rituxan  is a cancer agent currently being used in trials with Methotrexate to

treat RA,  

 

My doctor suggested to me that while Humira, Enbrel  &  Remicade work differently,

if I have tried a couple TNF's to no avail, it would be good to try a different

target drug like Kineret which targets IL instead of TNF and visa versa. I know,

clear as mud so I decided to try to make it as simple to understand as possible.

Below is information on the various BRM's / DMARDs available. If you click on a

link, like Kineret for example - you will be navigated to a site specifically

for Kineret with all sorts of questions and more links just about that drug. IF

you follow all these leads, it should take you hours and hours of reading so

just follow the ones you are interested in.

 

Smiles, Caroline the 1st, Empress of CUS

 

Biologics (BRMs, TNF Blockers, Biologic DMARDs) drug information, dosage, side

effects, drug interactions, and warnings. BRMs (biologic response modifiers),

such as TNF blockers and other biologic DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic

drugs), are medications that stimulate or restore the ability of the immune

system to fight arthritis and rheumatic disease.

A - Z: Arthritis Drugs @

Orencia (Abatacept) (14)

A - Z: DMARDs @

Raptiva (Efalizumab) (12)

 A - Z: Drug Costs @

 Remicade (Infliximab) (33)

A - Z: Drug Side Effects @

Rituxan (Rituximab) (24)

Enbrel (Etanercept) (41)

The Fear of Needles @

Humira (Adalimumab) (30)

Tysabri (Natalizumab) (10)

 Kineret (Anakinra) (13)

 

Fungal Infection - A Risk With TNF-alpha Blockers

The FDA has announced that the makers of four TNF-alpha drugs must strengthen

warnings about fungal infection. Warnings already exist regarding serious

infection, including fungal infection, but the FDA fears fungal infection is

going unnoticed in too many patients.

 

TNF-alpha Blockers - What You Need to Know

The first TNF-alpha blocker, Enbrel, was marketed in 1998. A decade later, we're

learning more about how well the drugs work and side effects associated with

them. TNF-alpha blockers are very effective for some but they are not for

everyone.

 

Can TNF Blockers Be Stopped When Remission Is Achieved?

TNF blockers -- Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira -- are biologic drugs with the

potential for slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and other

inflammatory types of arthritis. If remission is achieved, can TNF blockers be

stopped?

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments - 2008 ACR Recommendations

Rheumatoid arthritis treatments include medication options that have expanded

over the last decade. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released

its 2008 guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis treatments -- an update of the 2002

guidelines.

 

Is Infection a Serious Side Effect of DMARDs and Biologic Drugs?

Some patients are prone to infection while being treated with DMARDs or biologic

drugs. Is infection a serious side effect of biologic drugs? What can be done to

fight off infection?

 

Actemra (Tocilizumab) - What You Should Know

Actemra (tocilizumab) is the first humanized interleukin-6 receptor-inhibiting

monoclonal antibody being developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Interleukin-6

is involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Actemra is administered

intravenously.

 

Do Biologics Prevent Joint Damage and Deformity?

Biologics, a class of drugs used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, may

prevent joint damage and deformity. What evidence exists that biologics prevent

disease progression?

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Linked To Increased Risk of Infections And Cancer

TNF Blockers, specifically Humira and Remicade reportedly increase the risk of

cancer and serious infection.

 

Is It Possible To Decrease The Risk Of An Allergic Reaction To Remicade?

Dr. Zashin explains what can be done to decrease the chance of having an

allergic reaction to Remicade.

 

Monoclonal Antibody - What Is A Monoclonal Antibody?

Some of the newest biologic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are monoclonal

antibodies. What is a monoclonal antibody?

 

Biologic Drugs - Are Some Arthritis Patients Unsuitable Candidates For Biologic

Drugs?

The medical history of some arthritis patients make them unsuitable candidates

for biologic drugs such as Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, Orencia, and Rituxan.

 

Biologic Response Modifier: What is it?

Biological therapy, also referred to as immunotherapy or biotherapy, employ

biologic response modifiers (BRMs) to stimulate or restore the ability of the

immune system to fight disease and/or infection.

 

Rituxan Approved For Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Facts Of Rituxan

03/01/2006, Rituxan, the world's best-selling cancer drug, has been FDA approved

to be used in combination with methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis by

reducing the signs and symptoms in adult patients who have

moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis and have failed one or more

anti-TNF drugs e.g. Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), or Humira

(adalimumab).

 

Orencia (Abatacept) Approved For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Orencia (abatacept) is the first T-cell co-stimulation modulator approved for

the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Orencia vs. TNF Antagonists - What's The Difference Between Orencia And Other

Biologics?

Orencia (abatacept) is the first approved T-cell co-stimulation modulator

approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. How is Orencia (abatacept)

different from Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and Anakinra?

 

TNF Blockers (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira) - Test Your Knowledge

How much do you know about the TNF blocker drugs Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira?

 

When Is It Appropriate To Switch Your TNF Blocker Drug?

If an arthritis patient is on one of the TNF blocker drugs, when is it

appropriate to switch to another?

Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira - How are the drugs similar and different?

Patients are often advised to weigh the benefit and risk of any medication,

including TNF blockers Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira. What similarities and

differences are there between the three drugs?

 

Side Effects Of Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira - Weighing The Risk vs. Benefits

Arthritis patients sometimes fear the side effects of the TNF blockers Enbrel,

Remicade, and Humira. Should they be afraid and avoid these drugs?

 

TNF Blocker Drugs and Infection Risk

TNF blocker drugs have an infection risk.

 

TNF Blockers & Skin Disease - Dermatological conditions associated with TNF

Blockers

The group of drugs called TNF-alpha blockers have been associated with various

skin conditions by researchers.

 

Book Review: Arthritis Without Pain - The Miracle Of TNF Blockers

A book about TNF blockers explaining how they work, how they compare to other

arthritis drugs. Read about patient success stories and how this breakthrough

class of drugs has changed lives.

 

Combination Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld offers information about what's the latest arthritis

treatment, including the benefit of combination therapy.

 

What is Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)?

A brief explanation of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

 

Early, Aggressive Arthritis Treatment For Newly Diagnosed Patients

Early, aggressive treatment for arthritis can prevent joint damage and

deformity.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments Do Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Research shows no evidence to date that rheumatoid arthritis treatments,

particularly the newest medications, increases the risk of breast cancer.

 

ACR Patient Education: Biologic Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Biologics are new class of drugs that have been used since 1998. A “biologic”

drug copies the effects of substances naturally made by your body's immune

system. Biologics are also known as cytokine inhibitors, TNF inhibitors, IL-1

inhibitor, or Biologic Response Modifiers, from ACR.

 

Information source:

http://arthritis.about.com/od/brms/Biologic_DMARDs_Dosage_Side_Effects_Interacti\

ons_Warnings.htm

zSB(2,5);

(Beautiful Southern Oregon, USA)

We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our

sails.

May you have enough happiness to make you kind, enough trials to make you

strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.