EDU: BRM Therapy - Humira

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Altering the Course of RA

Biologic response modifiers (BRMs) are a newly developed class of medicines

that have opened the door to a new era in the treatment of RA. BRMs target

specific parts of the immune system that destroy joints. Some do so by blocking

the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein that helps regulate the

functions of many cells involved in inflammation. In healthy people, the level

of TNF in the joints is kept in balance, but for people with RA, the level of

TNF may increase dramatically.

ENBREL (etanercept) was the first BRM approved for RA - a breakthrough that

dramatically changed RA treatment. ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and

symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural damage in patients with

moderately to severely active RA. ENBREL was also the first BRM approved for

children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. (JRA) ENBREL is indicated for

reduction in signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active

polyarticular-course JRA in patients 4 years of age or older who have had an

inadequate response to one or more DMARDs.

ENBREL has shown dramatic results for many of the people with RA who have used

it. In clinical studies, 60% to 70% of those taking it reported a lessening of

pain and joint swelling. It can reduce fatigue and shorten the duration of

morning stiffness. In fact, ENBREL can improve certain aspects of life, as

measured in health status profiles- from appetite to physical activity.

Although ENBREL does not work for everyone, ENBREL can work quickly, often in

as little as two weeks., although it may take up to 3 months for some patients

to feel its full effect. Ongoing studies, conducted over the past 3 years,

demonstrate that ENBREL has continued to work as long as it is taken in some

patients. Best of all, X-rays show that it can slow the progression of damage to

the joints.

ENBREL is injected twice a week. You can give yourself these injections in

your own home after you receive training by a qualified health care

professional.

Remicade (infliximab), another BRM, when used in combination with

methotrexate, is indicated for reduction of signs and symptoms and inhibiting

the progression of structural damage in patients with moderately to severely

active RA. It is prescribed for people with RA who have not responded well to

methotrexate alone. Remicade should be used with methotrexate. Administered

intravenously in a hospital, infusion center, or doctor’s office over a few

hours, initial treatment with Remicade consists of three intravenous doses

administered over the course of 6 weeks. Patients then receive maintenance doses

every other month.

Humira or Adalimumab (ADD-ah-lim-u-mab) is used to decreased signs, symptoms,

and progression of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. It is

also used to treat psoriatic arthritis which is a type of arthritis that causes

pain and swelling of the joints and patches of scaly skin on some areas of the

body. Psoriatic arthritis is related to the skin condition, psoriasis.

Adalimumab can be used in combination with methotrexate or other Disease

Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). Humira was approved December 2002 and

is injected every other week but may be injected more often than that under the

supervision of a medical professional.

Kineret is injected daily. Kineret (Anakinra) is used, alone or in

combination with other medications, to reduce the pain and swelling associated

with rheumatoid arthritis. Anakinra is in a class of medications called

interleukin antagonists. It works by blocking the activity of interleukin, a

protein in the body that causes joint damage.

Approved for RA in 2006 are Rituxamab (Rituxan) and Abatacept (Orencia). I

have posted recently on these two so I won't bore you to death with a repeat.

LOL

Well, now that you know a bit about BRM's, let's talk about Humira for a

minute. we'll get to the others later.

Adalimumab is the generic name for Humira but you can't get it as a generic

drug. Abbott Laboratories manufactures it and they can be found at

www.abbott.com or . If you take Humira and have not already done

so, call them and get on their support program. They will send you all sorts of

really cool " toys " like disposal containers, travel bags, diary's, exercise

bands, videos, relaxation tapes, dexterity kits, you name it. the link to take

you directly to information about Humira is www.humira.com

Abbott Laboratories does offer patient in need assistance to those who qualify

so those of you who need this drug but don't have insurance that will help cover

it, give them a call. I think they gave me 6 months of free Humira when I needed

it.

If you have questions about taking the medication, side effects or adverse

reactions or just want to speak with a medical person and ask questions. they

are always happy to help.

To find out information at a glance on Humira, go to

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/500449.html

(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.

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