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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recent Developments
Recent Developments
The past two years have brought more new treatment options
than any other time in RA history. We have more choices than ever before, from
DMARDS to NSAIDS to blood filtering and many combinations, life is good for many
with RA.
The avalanche of new treatments began in September of 1998
when the FDA approved the first new DMARD in ten years, Arava. Arava is
indicated in adults for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis to
reduce signs and symptoms and to retard structural damage as evidenced
by x-ray erosions and joint space narrowing. This was the first time
that a drug was indicated for retardation of structural damage in RA
based on x-ray analysis.
Right behind Arava, Enbrel received FDA approval in
November of 1998. This was an entirely new approach to treating RA. A
biologic response modifier, Enbrel works by binding to a type of
inflammatory antibody, the tumor necrosis factor. Given by injection
twice weekly, Enbrel was welcomed with open arms by those who had failed
traditional DMARDs.
Next came the first of two new NSAIDs, Celebrex was
approved by the FDA in December of 1998. Searle and Pfizer's version of
the COX 2 inhibitor, Celebrex works to decrease inflammation and pain
like traditional NSAIDs with less GI irritation. One study showed
Celebrex to be as effective in relieving symptoms of as the NSAID
diclofenac, and that the rate of gastrointestinal complaints was 33%
higher in the diclofenac-treated group. Vioxx, Merck s COX 2 inhibitor
was approved in May of 1999.
1999 rolled around and the avalanche continued. The
non-drug treatment, Prosorba Column, was granted FDA approval in March.
A blood filtering device, the treatment offers great hope to those who
failed or cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional DMARDs.
The last of the new treatments was granted FDA approval in
November of 1999. Remicade, another biologic response modifier, is given
by IV infusion in a doctor s office or clinic setting. Similar to
Enbrel it also works by disrupting the activity of the tumor necrosis
factor, unlike Enbrel Remicade should be used with methotrexate.
Thus far, the year 2000 has been anticlimactic compared to
the two previous years. No new RA treatments have been released yet this
year and nothing new is rumored to be coming soon, though many are in
the development stages. We can only hope that the next two years will be
as good as the last two years.
For more information see:
Pharm
Info Net - Vioxx
Rofecoxib
(Vioxx)-Arthritis
Insight
Pharm
Info Net - Celebrex
Celecoxib
(Celebrex)-Arthritis
Insight
Pharm
Info Net - Enbrel
Etanercept
(Enbrel)-Arthritis
Insight
Pharm
Info Net - Remicade
Infliximab
(Remicade)-Arthritis
Insight
Pharm
Info Net - Arava
Leflunomide
(Arava)-Arthritis
Insight
Fresenius
Hemotechnology-Prosorba Column For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Prosorba
Column-Arthritis Insight
References:
Pharm InfoNet - Enbrel (Etanercept) Recommended for Approval For
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pharm InfoNet - AravaŽ (Leflunomide) Approved For Adult Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Pharm InfoNet - Remicade (infliximab) for the Treatment of Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Pharm InfoNet - First COX-2 Inhibitor Approved for OA and RA
Med Watch News - FDA APPROVES VIOXX FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS, PAIN AND
MENSTRUAL PAIN
Fresenius Hemotechnology - Prosorba Column For Rheumatoid Arthritis
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