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Question: What are the newest options for treatment of RA?

Answer:

The newest options for the treatment of RA are anti-cytokine regimens. Three preparations (etanercept [Enbrel], infliximab [Remicade], and adalimunmab [Humira]) target TNF-α and one targets IL-1R (anakinra [Kineret]). All of these options are given parenterally and are fairly expensive. Anakinra, although proven efficacious, requires daily injections and has a slower onset of action and is therefore used less frequently.

Reference: Harris ED, Budd RC, Firestein GS, et al (eds): Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology, 7th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 2005

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 10:11 am and is filed under Rheumatology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Question: What are the newest options for treatment of RA?”

  1. Gerald Says:
    November 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    Oh my.

    I hate to admit but being over 40 is really difficult.. not only because of RA but because of several other diseases.

    http://over40andfighting.com/home.asp

    try those tests there. if not read the articles. that way, it’ll help you realize what other possible sickness you can get when you reach 40 up.

    it’s so hard when you don’t take care of your health when you are young…

    -Gerald

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