Weight loss and Weight Chat Blog

December 2, 2008

Understanding biologics: How they differ from drugs and why they cost more

Many of our readers either already have or will in the future encounter the possibility of being treated with a biologic medication. This is because biologics have revolutionized the treatment of such chronic illnesses as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, and are widely used in treating a variety of cancers. To name just a few, these products include Enbrel, Humira, Remicade (infliximab), Avonex (inteferon beta-1a), Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), Tysabri, Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Rituxan (rituximab), Neupogen (filgrastim), Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and Leukine (sargramostim). So just what are biologics, how do they differ from more traditional drugs, and why are they so expensive?Although some biologics have been around for a long time, I’m not talking about these first-generation products, which include things like vaccines, blood and blood components. Instead, I’m focusing on the newer, second-generation biologics that have come to market only […]

Original post by natalieb and weightlossopinions.com

January 17, 2008

Tysabri approved for Chron’s disease

Tysabri [natalizumab] has become the third biologic medication approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Unlike the other two approved biologics, Remicade [infliximab] and Humira [adalimumab], Tysabri does not work by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Because of this it offers an alternative biologic treatment for those patients who either cannot tolerate or who do not respond well enough to the TNF inhibitors. Instead, it binds to a protein on the surface of certain types of white blood cells and prevents them from leaving the blood stream to enter the tissues where they would otherwise cause inflammation. Tysabri has already been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Tysabri is approved for use in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease with evidence of inflammation who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant of, conventional Crohn’s therapies and TNF-inhibitors. Tysabri is given by […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com

Tysabri approved for Crohn’s disease

Tysabri (natalizumab) has become the third biologic medication approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Unlike the other two approved biologics, Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab), Tysabri does not work by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Because of this it offers an alternative biologic treatment for those patients who either cannot tolerate or who do not respond well enough to the TNF inhibitors. Instead, it binds to a protein on the surface of certain types of white blood cells and prevents them from leaving the blood stream to enter the tissues where they would otherwise cause inflammation. Tysabri has already been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Tysabri is approved for use in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease with evidence of inflammation who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant of, conventional Crohn’s therapies and TNF-inhibitors. Tysabri is given by […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com

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