Why Use Humira or Other Anti-TNF Drug?

Autoimmune disorders can bring chronic pain, disability and sometimes death. Certain disorders, not responding well to anti-inflammatory drugs containing aspirin products, may benefit from anti-TNF injections or IV infusion. Serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis, anklyosing arthritis, crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), psoriatic arthritis and others can be helped by anti-TNF drugs.

Naturally occurring Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is necessary in the human body to help deal with virus, bacteria and other invasions. TNF causes inflammation to cushion damaged tissues in fluid and increases blood flow to let the immune system get rid of the virus, bacteria or other invader. TNF can help keep more damage from happening. But when the invasion is over and TNF is overproduced a lot more damage, pain and disability can occur. In autoimmune disorders, the TNF level remains too high and the body misinterprets when a virus or other attack is over. When high production of TNF causes this chronic inflammation, anti-TNF drugs may help settle the attack.

What is an Anti-TNF Drug?

Anti-inflammatory drugs are aspirin based products which can help symptoms, but they do not act on the autoimmune disease itself. Anti-TNF drugs, also called TNF Blockers, act directly on the disease. When appropriate, these prescriptions can reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, improve mobility and prevent further damage to the point of remission or full recovery. Drugs in this class include Humira ® (adalimumab), Enbrel®, Remicade® and Simponi®. They act similarly on inflammation and may present like side effects.

Depending on individual patient conditions, the prescription may be used as often as once-a-week or as little as once-a-month. Humira, Simponi and Enbrel are self-injected medications, while Remicade requires a clinic visit and IV infusion to receive each dose. Anti-TNFs are often used in combination with other drugs, like Methotrexate.

Patient Responsibilities Before and During Treatment

To ensure the patient is well enough for treatment, a rheumatologist requires the patient take certain medical tests. These include chest x-ray, tuberculosis (TB), a blood draw for various conditions including liver function, white blood cell count (CBC) and more. Other tests may be required before the injections begin. These tests are required to make sure it is relatively safe for the patient to take these drugs and for consideration by insurance companies for cost coverage options.

Expect follow up tests to continue during treatment for monitoring liver function, white blood cell count and other possible issues that may arise as a result of using anti-TNF medication. Because of continued liver function risks during treatment, lifestyle changes may be required by the physician, as well as understood and followed by the patient before and during treatment.

Treatment Cautions and Side Effects

Anti-TNF drugs are potent and often used with Methotrexate. Both types of drug can greatly affect liver function, so alcoholic consumption while under treatment is forbidden. Use of acetaminophen or Tylenol® products is discouraged as well.

Common side effects can include flu-like symptoms, headache, nausea and rash. Serious side effects can include lupus-like symptoms, nervous system problems, blood problems or heart failure. There are other side effects possible and anything out of the ordinary should be reported to the prescribing physician and pharmacist right away.

The Bottom Line

Anti-TNF drugs are only prescribed when other medications and therapies have not proven effective for certain autoimmune disorders. Pre-treatment tests like chest x-ray, TB test, and blood tests are also required. The patient must also agree to period blood screenings during treatment, because anti-TNFs can compromise the liver or other body system. Lifestyle changes may be required to maintain safe treatment, per doctor instructions.

Disclaimer

Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the health care professional caring for the patient. Discuss and review the complete prescribing information, including warnings, adverse effects, contraindications, and precautions of these and any other medicine protocol. The information provided herein is does not necessarily represent the views of Lynn Pritchett or Associated Content.

Sources

www.abbott.com
www.merck.com
www.asresearch.co.uk
Dr. Jeffery Lisse, M.D. and Dr. Todd Hofeling, M.D. - UPH Rheumatology, Tucson, AZ