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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 - Arava? (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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