Hi Toottie
Any drug related medical questions are best advised by your physican
or medical specialist but preliminary research in understanding the
drugs and thier side effects are paramount.
Let me first preface this answer with the fact that although my
google nickname is bizwhiz, I have spent 3 years studying medical
journals and online websites to help deal with my wife's chronic
deadly illness. The best personal advice , I can give is ... be very
wary of any medical information on the Internet, question the source
and credibility of the website. Is the information provided by some
nutritional charlatan or a large pharmaceutical compnay that has
billions to gain from the sales of it's drugs. I found it best to
search medical websites that doctors use such as
http://www.medscape.com (free registration is required) or a good
general editorial site for the public such as http://www.webmd.com
To your question on the side effects of Remicade (Remicade Intraven or
Infliximab) and Methotrexate ( since no term came up with Methatrexate
and Methorexate is commonly used in conjuction with the Infliximab to
treat Arthritis..please clarify if I made the wrong assumption).
According to WebMd , medications are needed to treat Rheumatoid
Arthritis and are dependant on the stage of the disease, effect on
quality of life and disease progression. The two drugs you mentioned
are referred to as DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs).
As cited in WebMd by Pincus T, et al. (1999). Combination therapy with
multiple disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid
arthritis: A preventive strategy. Annals of Internal Medicine,
131(10): 768–774. "Some doctors feel that the potential long-term
benefits of slowing or stopping the disease from getting worse
outweigh the risks associated with taking certain DMARDs"
http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/1834.50752 This article also
states that "
Some disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can take up to 6
months to work. In some people, a certain DMARD may not work at all,
and a different DMARD will be used..." As to your concern of the side
effects, they are serious and need careful monitoring.
The side effects of Methotrexate as listed on Medscape ( registration
needed but free) http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/Druginf?id=1-3905&name=METHOTREXATE+ORAL&DrugType=1&MenuID=USEDOS&ClassID=N&GeneralStatement=N
: "Serious, sometimes fatal, side effects have occurred in those
using methotrexate. Therefore, this medication should be used only to
treat life-threatening cancer or severe cases of psoriasis or
rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate formulations with preservatives
must not be used for high-dose treatment nor injected into the spine
(intrathecal). Methotrexate has caused birth defects and fetal death.
It is not recommended for use in women of child-bearing age unless no
alternatives exist. Pregnant women who have psoriasis or rheumatoid
arthritis must not use methotrexate. If you have kidney problems or
excess body water (ascites, pleural effusion), you must be closely
monitored and your dose may be adjusted or stopped. Methotrexate
(usually at high dosages) has caused severe, even fatal, bone marrow
suppression (e.g., bone marrow makes cells that fight infections) and
intestinal or stomach disease (e.g., bleeding) when used at the same
time as non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g.,
ibuprofen, naproxen). This drug may also cause liver problems when it
is used for long periods of time. If you are using methotrexate
long-term, liver biopsies should be performed. Methotrexate use has
resulted in serious, possibly fatal, lung problems, skin reactions,
diarrhea and mouth sores (ulcerative stomatitis). Lumps
(tumors/abnormal growths) may appear during methotrexate use. The drug
must be stopped and treatment may be needed. Consult your doctor
immediately if new lumps/growths occur. When used to treat tumors,
methotrexate sometimes causes "tumor lysis syndrome" due to cell
destruction. Promptly report symptoms (e.g., irregular heartbeat, high
potassium level) if they occur. If you develop any of the following
side effects, contact your doctor immediately: nausea, stomach pain,
yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, fever, fatigue, persistent sore
throat, easy bruising or bleeding, black stools, change in amount of
urine, skin rash, breathing problems, dry cough, diarrhea, or mouth
sores." As well as "may cause nausea, stomach pain or drowsiness. If
these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Report to your
doctor promptly: mouth sores, diarrhea, fever, persistent sore throat,
unusual bleeding or bruising, black stools, rash, enlarged
glands/lymph nodes, dark urine, bone pain, unusual pain and
discoloration of the skin. Unlikely but report promptly: yellowing of
the eyes/skin, chest pain, flu-like symptoms, dry cough, neck
stiffness, vision changes, headache, muscle weakness, mental changes,
seizures. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should
return after treatment has ended. In the unlikely event you have an
allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling,
fever, trouble breathing. "
Remicaid aka Infliximab is a once every two month injection. This
drug combined with Methotrexate can be very effective in treatment of
the diease . (Pincus T, et al. (1999). Combination therapy with
multiple disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid
arthritis: A preventive strategy. Annals of Internal Medicine,
131(10): 768–774.)
Medscape referes to the Remicade drug warnings as "Infliximab
decreases immune system function (immunosuppression), which can result
in serious infections (e.g., tuberculosis or fungal infections), or a
worsening of an existing infection. Before starting treatment with
infliximab, you should have a TB skin test done to check for
tuberculosis that may not be causing any symptoms (latent TB). If you
are diagnosed with TB, anti-tuberculosis medicines must be started
before you start infliximab therapy. This will prevent a serious TB
infection. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of
infection while using this drug, such as: fever, persistent sore
throat, unusual vaginal discharge, painful or frequent urination."
With additional side effects as "Nausea or pain at the injection site
may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Report promptly: fever, chills, headache, chest pain, cough, sore
throat, unusual tiredness, stomach pain, unusual vaginal discharge,
white patches in the mouth (fungal infection). Unlikely but report
promptly: diarrhea, joint/muscle pain, mental/mood changes, changes in
skin appearance, painful urination, increased urgency/frequency of
urination, unusual bruising or bleeding, sudden weight gain. Very
unlikely but report promptly: fast or irregular pulse, unusual lumps,
swollen glands. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to
this medication, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an
allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble
breathing. Once you have registerd on Medscape go to
http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/Druginf?DrugType=1&GeneralStatement=N&id=A-18747&ClassID=N&MenuID=USEDOS&name=REMICADE+INTRAVEN.
For quick access to side effects for both drugs with no registration
need on webmd go to :
http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/1834.50797#aa18964 and
http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/1834.50789#tr3451
For some general info on new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis visit
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/11/29/arthritis.drugs/ .
And in refrence to Johnson & Johnson the owner Centocor the maker of
Remicade has under gone question to thier "illegal" marketing
practices. http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/news.htm?story_id=318&topic=Remicade
Toottie, all I can say is to review the literature and make a calm ,
logical decision and carefully weigh the risks versus the benefits if
you are trying to decide to take this route.
To Your Health
Sincerly Bizwhiz-ga
Search terms : side effects + rheumatoid (be careful of the spelling)
+ remicade + methotrexate
Also seperate searches on http://webmd.com and http://www.medscape.com |
