Remicade-vs-Enbrel

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if there is any information on which is better/safer

to use Remicade or Enbrel. I know that both have adverse side

effects a mile long...and I know the drug companies have to list ALL

the side effects. I am scheduled to start Remicade, hopefully in a

couple of weeks and am scared to death to start it. My Rhuemy

basically told me that it was my decision which I want to start.

Sheesh! I have been on MTX for the past year with minimal relief,

and he feels it is time to try something more.

Peace,

Ann

[Guest guest]

In my opinion, there is no " better " drug. The best drug is the one that works

for YOU and causes YOU the least amount of side effects. There is risk in using

Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, MTX, your automobile, your bathtub, your iron, your

stove...but you decide on your own which risks you are willing to live with in

order to try to give yourself a better quality of life.

Wishing you wellness,

Kathy F.

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if there is any information on which is better/safer

to use Remicade or Enbrel. I know that both have adverse side

effects a mile long...and I know the drug companies have to list ALL

the side effects. I am scheduled to start Remicade, hopefully in a

couple of weeks and am scared to death to start it. My Rhuemy

basically told me that it was my decision which I want to start.

Sheesh! I have been on MTX for the past year with minimal relief,

and he feels it is time to try something more.

Peace,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

I think the two drugs are quite similar in effectiveness and safety and the

key point is to find one that works well for you. In my case, I actually

wanted to try Enbrel as it was the " new and improved " thing a couple years

ago, but it wasn't widely available at that time and I started Remicade.

Remicade has been great for me so I never moved to Enbrel.

With that said, here are some differences to consider in terms of which to

try first.

FREQUENT INJECTION OR OCCASIONAL INFUSION

Enbrel can be self injected. Remicade is infused. So with Remicade you have

to go to a doctors office every 8 weeks or so vs. more frequent injections

at home and at your convenience. I find the infusions relaxing (can read or

listen to music for a couple hours) and I don't have to worry about needles,

supplies, prescription costs and orders, keeping the meds cool, etc. My docs

office is close to home, and my work schedule is flexible so Remicade works

for me. Since both drugs weaken the body's ability to fight infection and

Remicade stays in the body longer, it might be a disadvantage if you get an

infection (I don't know of any data on this, but it makes sense).

METHOTREXATE

Continuing Methotrexate is standard in the Remicade regime, not in the

Enbrel regime. So if Methotrexate is a problem for you, try Enbrel first.

Studies do show that Enbrel works better in combination with MTX so you

might continue it in either case. In my case, because Remicade worked so

well, I was able to reduce my MTX from 15mg/wk to only 7.5mg/wk. While I'd

rather be off MTX all together, at such a low dose, MTX doesn't cause me

much concern.

SHORT TERM and LONG TERM

Remicade seems to work a little faster and better than Enbrel on average

(per experts on HealthTalk Psoriasis website, Remicade is a Ferrari vs.

Enbrel as a Camaro). While either drug might lose effectiveness over time,

it seems to happen more with Remicade, perhaps as the body develops immunity

to the mouse proteins in Remicade. In my case, Remicade worked great within

a couple days and it has stayed perfectly effective for almost two years to

date. I'm even stretching out from every 8 weeks to 10 weeks and may take a

longer break from Remicade to see if I'm in remission.

Best of luck, whichever way you go.

-

[ ] Remicade-vs-Enbrel

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if there is any information on which is better/safer

to use Remicade or Enbrel. I know that both have adverse side

effects a mile long...and I know the drug companies have to list ALL

the side effects. I am scheduled to start Remicade, hopefully in a

couple of weeks and am scared to death to start it. My Rhuemy

basically told me that it was my decision which I want to start.

Sheesh! I have been on MTX for the past year with minimal relief,

and he feels it is time to try something more.

Peace,

Ann

[Guest guest]

I need to determine which would be best for me and I think that

Remicade is easyist to use for the reason you give. One more thing to

consider is the cost. I have Blue Shield of California, the PPO, and

I am trying to determine the cost of each,so if it's a big difference

it may factor into my decision.

I'm not sure how to determine the cost. Should I ask the Pharmacist

or should I ask the insurance company?

> Hi Ann,

>

> I think the two drugs are quite similar in effectiveness and safety

and the

> key point is to find one that works well for you. In my case, I

actually

> wanted to try Enbrel as it was the " new and improved " thing a

couple years

> ago, but it wasn't widely available at that time and I started

Remicade.

> Remicade has been great for me so I never moved to Enbrel.

>

> With that said, here are some differences to consider in terms of

which to

> try first.

>

> FREQUENT INJECTION OR OCCASIONAL INFUSION

> Enbrel can be self injected. Remicade is infused. So with Remicade

you have

> to go to a doctors office every 8 weeks or so vs. more frequent

injections

> at home and at your convenience. I find the infusions relaxing (can

read or

> listen to music for a couple hours) and I don't have to worry about

needles,

> supplies, prescription costs and orders, keeping the meds cool,

etc. My docs

> office is close to home, and my work schedule is flexible so

Remicade works

> for me. Since both drugs weaken the body's ability to fight

infection and

> Remicade stays in the body longer, it might be a disadvantage if

you get an

> infection (I don't know of any data on this, but it makes sense).

>

> METHOTREXATE

> Continuing Methotrexate is standard in the Remicade regime, not in

the

> Enbrel regime. So if Methotrexate is a problem for you, try Enbrel

first.

> Studies do show that Enbrel works better in combination with MTX so

you

> might continue it in either case. In my case, because Remicade

worked so

> well, I was able to reduce my MTX from 15mg/wk to only 7.5mg/wk.

While I'd

> rather be off MTX all together, at such a low dose, MTX doesn't

cause me

> much concern.

>

> SHORT TERM and LONG TERM

> Remicade seems to work a little faster and better than Enbrel on

average

> (per experts on HealthTalk Psoriasis website, Remicade is a Ferrari

vs.

> Enbrel as a Camaro). While either drug might lose effectiveness

over time,

> it seems to happen more with Remicade, perhaps as the body develops

immunity

> to the mouse proteins in Remicade. In my case, Remicade worked

great within

> a couple days and it has stayed perfectly effective for almost two

years to

> date. I'm even stretching out from every 8 weeks to 10 weeks and

may take a

> longer break from Remicade to see if I'm in remission.

>

> Best of luck, whichever way you go.

>

> -

>

> [ ] Remicade-vs-Enbrel

>

>

> Hi everyone,

> I was wondering if there is any information on which is better/safer

> to use Remicade or Enbrel. I know that both have adverse side

> effects a mile long...and I know the drug companies have to list ALL

> the side effects. I am scheduled to start Remicade, hopefully in a

> couple of weeks and am scared to death to start it. My Rhuemy

> basically told me that it was my decision which I want to start.

> Sheesh! I have been on MTX for the past year with minimal relief,

> and he feels it is time to try something more.

> Peace,

> Ann

[Guest guest]

> I need to determine which would be best for me and I think that

> Remicade is easyist to use for the reason you give. One more thing

to

> consider is the cost. I have Blue Shield of California, the PPO,

and

> I am trying to determine the cost of each,so if it's a big

difference

> it may factor into my decision.

>

> I'm not sure how to determine the cost. Should I ask the Pharmacist

> or should I ask the insurance company?

Hi Everyone! I haven't posted in like 4 months because I just had

my third child. He is a healthy 17 lb 2 month old Xavier. I

thought I would butt in on this conversation because I maybe able to

help. I work for BCBS Anthem of Indiana and know a lot about claims

and payment. You should contact your insurance co. customer service

area first. Your doctor can also do this for you. He will let them

know the drug he will be prescribing, and they can tell him or you if

you need to get prior authorization. Many of these high cost

injectables need to go through a predetermination or medical review

prior to approval. They will also let you know how much out of

pocket expense would fall on you. I hope this is helpful, and please

let me know if I can be of further assistance. Feel free to email me

anytime. I read all the posts, and am feeling like myself again even

though my Psoriasis is much worse. My PA improved alot during

pregnancy, but P is bad.

Take care all,

Tamara

[Guest guest]

Welcome back Tamara and congratulations.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

First of all thank you for your response on Aug 12th. It

made me feel alot better about taking Remicade.

Secondly, There has been alot of conversation about which is less

expensive. I just wanted to throw out what I know about my

insurance. One of the reasons I picked to go on Remicade is because

I need to go to an Oncology Center to recieve it. If I was picking

it up from the pharmacy there would be a co-pay of $30.00 each

month...if I go to a center to recieve the medication there is no

out of pocket expense to me. I am on so much medication right now

that I would just assume not to pay anymore than I would need to.

We have a PPO insurance plan (kinda like HMO).

I am so thankful to have this group to bounce things off of...it can

get over-whelming at times. My dear husband is my support, rock and

best friend. But even though he trys to understand there are times

it is hard for him. My sister also trys to understand...she and

I laugh alot, and I have learned to not take life so seriously...

(when I was first diagnosed and I told my sister about what PA was

and how no one could predict how bad it was going to get, and how I

might end up in a wheelchair or using a walker, her response

was, " OK so I guess at Christmas time we will have you drive to the

mall so we could use the Handicap parking spots! " My sister has a

way of looking for the positive things in life!

I am thankful for the good days, deal with the bad and laugh (when I

can) at my 90yr old feeling feet, my hobbling, and my endless

fatigue.

Wow, I didn't mean to go on like this. It is just nice to be able

to say thankyou to everyone for the support.

Peace,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Marti,

Best of luck on the Enbrel. I hope it helps you the way it has helped so

many others.

Kathy F.

good to see you here again. good luck with the enbrel. I just had

my first injection of enbrel today after remicade became ineffective

fter a year and half of use.

Marti

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

You are absolutely right. When I am struggling and can't get off the chair

or out of the bath, my wife and I laugh about it. (Ever seen someone laughing

and grimacing with pain at the same time? What am I saying? You've probably

done it.)

Cheers,

[Guest guest]

Since I wrote you earlier this week about Dr. , I have received

a letter saying he was not going to be affiliated with Piedmont and that my

insurance will not be effective with him until late Sept. I really want to

keep my Piedmont " team " .....wonder who is going to be their rheumy?

Liz Toth