Re: Need advice - Enbrel or MTX

[Guest guest]

I have been on both seperately and combined for atleast a year at a time and

suffered no side effects. I think that the severity of the side effects

depend on the person. I had none and may or may not have been lucky. Try them

and

see what happens. Remember that it is always you, not them, who are in

control. You can stop the meds at any time you choose.

[Guest guest]

Vidya,

There are a number of good choices out there for you. Below please find some

information on Humira, which is a more recent biologic than Enbrel. I am not

pushing you to try Humira but am suggesting it to you as yet another good

alternative for you to learn more about so that you can discuss the pros and

cons

of its use with your physician.

Hope you find the right medicine for you soon.

Kathy F.

Abbott Laboratories' HUMIRA® (Adalimumab) Marks Successful First Year

Treating Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tuesday December 30, 9:30 am ET

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HUMIRA® (adalimumab),

the latest biologic therapy and first fully human monoclonal antibody for the

treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was prescribed to more than 40,000

patients suffering from the potentially crippling joint disease during its first

year on the market. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on

December 31, 2002, HUMIRA is the most successful product launch in the Abbott's

115-year history.

At the time of its regulatory submission, HUMIRA was the most studied

biologic therapy for RA, with 23 clinical trials involving more than 2,400

patients.

HUMIRA was FDA approved earlier than anticipated, just nine months after the

company's regulatory submissions in the United States and Europe.

" The benefits of HUMIRA for my patients have been remarkable, " said

A. Birbara, M.D., medical director of the Clinical Pharmacology Study Group at

the University of Massachusetts City Campus, Worcester, Mass. " Before starting

HUMIRA, some patients couldn't dress themselves or hold their children or

grandchildren. HUMIRA has given them their lives back, with some patients

responding as early as one week after their first dose. "

HUMIRA offers convenient administration that is unmatched by available

biologic medications. It is packaged in a pre-filled syringe specially designed

for

easy use at home by people with RA. The design, which has been tested with RA

patients and received the Arthritis Foundation's Ease-of-Use Commendation

seal, features unique plastic wings that are easy to hold and allows patients to

self-administer their medication without having to mix or measure it. HUMIRA

offers patients convenient dosing (typically every other week), with 75 percent

fewer injections than another commonly prescribed self- injected RA treatment

(i.e. Enbrel).

" I had my first injection on a Friday in mid-April, " said Tecela ,

HUMIRA patient. " After just five HUMIRA injections, I felt total improvement,

physically and mentally. My knees and hands weren't swollen, and my watch and

rings were loose. I wasn't stiff or hunched over when I woke up. "

Key HUMIRA Milestones in 2003

Patient Access. In conjunction with the product launch in January, Abbott

launched its Medicare Assistance Program, an unprecedented drug-access

initiative

that provides HUMIRA at no cost to Medicare-eligible seniors. Recently,

Congress passed a new Medicare drug benefit, and -- as part of that legislation

--

has included a two-year demonstration project that will allow for

reimbursement of self-injectable drugs. Once the details of the demonstration

project are

determined, Abbott will help program participants transition to the project.

Until then, Abbott will continue to offer HUMIRA free to eligible seniors

through its Medicare Assistance Program.

RA Clinical Studies. Data presented at the European League Against Rheumatism

(EULAR) meeting in June showed HUMIRA was effective in early RA; at the

October American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, studies showed

that

HUMIRA taken alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) exhibits

sustained response for up to five years in adult patients with active RA. In

addition,

data showed that HUMIRA significantly improved the quality of life for people

living with RA, including physical function, bodily pain and fatigue. It is

the only biologic DMARD to demonstrate statistically significant reduction in

fatigue in RA patients.

Additional Clinical Studies. In 2003, HUMIRA trials were announced in

psoriatic arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's.

Phase III

studies in ankylosing spondylitis will begin shortly.

Regulatory Milestones. The European Commission granted marketing

authorization of HUMIRA in September for the treatment of adult RA. With E.U.

marketing

authorization, HUMIRA became the first human monoclonal antibody approved for RA

in Europe and the first TNF antagonist approved with an indication for use

with methotrexate or as monotherapy. In October, Abbott submitted to the FDA a

supplemental Biologics Licensing Application (sBLA) seeking approval for the

use of HUMIRA to improve physical function in patients with moderately to

severely active RA.

Awards. HUMIRA was named the Best New Medicine of 2003 by Med Ad News. In

addition, HUMIRA was named one of Chicago's most innovative and successful

products. One of 10 winners, HUMIRA was chosen among 130 submissions as a

recipient

of the 2003 Chicago Innovation Award, which honors local companies for their

novel products and services. The award is sponsored by the Chicago Sun-Times

and Kuczmarski & Associates.

About HUMIRA

HUMIRA is the first fully human monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for

reducing the signs and symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural

damage in adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

who have had insufficient response to one or more disease modifying

antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

HUMIRA can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other

DMARDs. HUMIRA was created using phage display technology, resulting in an antib

ody with human-derived heavy and light chain variable regions and human

IgG1:K constant regions. Clinical trials are also currently underway evaluating

the

potential of HUMIRA in other autoimmune diseases.

Hello,

I am new to this group. I have PA for last 4 years. I had taken Ayurvedic

(Indian Herbal)treatment and it had worked before...but now it stopped working.

I

have decided to go in for allopathy. I am really confused and really very

scared to go in for medication like MTX or Enbrel because of its side effects

but

i really want relief from my pain.

Please someone help me and i would appreciate if i get feedback on that.

Thank you,

Vidya

[Guest guest]

i completely agree with u. Thanks for the advice.

[Guest guest]

Thanks terry. I appreciate ur adivce.

I will definitely update u on what i decide. But definitely MTX will not be my

first choice.