Facts About Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
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Facts About Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
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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
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How Biologics Work
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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
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How Biologics Are Given
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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
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Who Can Benefit Most from Biologics
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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
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When You'll Feel the Results
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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
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Common Side Effects
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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
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The Cost of Biologics
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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
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Biologics and Cancer Risk
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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.
