Facts About Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Facts About Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Facts About Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Over the last decade, significant progress in the treatment of RA has been made because of drugs known as biologics. Biologic drugs are made from human genes inside non-human cells. Your doctor may suggest biologics if you respond poorly to other treatments. Here's what you should know about these exciting advancements and how they may be able to improve your RA and your quality of life.

How Biologics Work

How Biologics Work

RA is an autoimmune disease. This means your body mistakes some of its own tissues as foreign substances and attacks itself. In RA, when your immune system attacks your joint tissue, it causes inflammation that damages your joints and makes them painful. Biologics are designed to inhibit the cells that cause your immune system to go into this mistaken overdrive.

How Biologics Are Given

How Biologics Are Given

Biologics are not yet available in pill form. Because the biologics are made of such large protein molecules, your body cannot absorb them if you swallow them in a pill or liquid form. Biologics need to be introduced into the body slowly. The only biologics that have been approved for RA by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must be injected or given intravenously. In the future, you may be able to take biologics by mouth: Oral biologics for RA made from small protein molecules are in development.

Who Can Benefit Most from Biologics

Who Can Benefit Most from Biologics

Your doctor may suggest biologics if your RA is moderate to severe and has not responded to traditional treatments. You may be given biologics alone or with other medications to increase their effectiveness and decrease their side effects. Biologics have been shown to be effective in two out of three people who use them.

When You'll Feel the Results

When You'll Feel the Results

Studies show that RA patients who are given biologics generally show improvement in about 4 to 6 weeks. However, many patients report less joint swelling and discomfort soon after their first or second injection. How often your injections are scheduled depends on which biologic you're given. Some are given daily; others, every few weeks.

Common Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Most biologics are well-tolerated. About a third of people given biologics experience a skin reaction at the site of the injection. This could be a burning or itching sensation or a rash that will go away on its own in a week or two. A more serious side effect is your increased risk of infection, including tuberculosis, when taking biologics. You can work with your doctor to recognize the signs and symptoms of infection.

The Cost of Biologics

The Cost of Biologics

Biologics are expensive, between $12,000 and $30,000 a year. Because they are produced from live organisms, the materials needed to make them are expensive. The manufacturing process is more complicated than that for traditional drugs made from chemicals. Their cost also reflects the cost of research and development. Generic versions, which could cost less, are not yet available.

Biologics and Cancer Risk

Biologics and Cancer Risk

There is some concern about long-term, serious risks from taking biologics, including some forms of cancer, but the research is inconclusive. Because of the relative newness of biologics, any long-term risks are not yet known. It's difficult to draw hard and fast conclusions from the small amount of existing research. Always weigh the benefits and the risks of all treatment options through a careful discussion with your rheumatologist.