Certain Arthritis, Crohn's Drugs May Raise Kids' Cancer Risk: FDA

[Mazen]

http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/news/view.aspx?id=629711

The drugs, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, work by interrupting a protein that causes inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and other tissue. They include Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Simponi (golimumab).

"FDA announced that it has completed its analysis of TNF blockers and has concluded that there is an increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers associated with the use of these drugs in children and adolescents," according to FDA spokeswomen Crystal Rice.

"This new safety information is now being added to the boxed warning for these products," she said.

 

[Naps22]

shocker....but yay REMICADE!!!!!

 

[Creepy Lurker]

I always expected some sort of risk. I'm not a child or an adolescent though, so I'm happy

 

[Procyon]

Not a huge surprise that the FDA would decide to add that to warning label. It's all in the medication info already, just not under the section that's like "OMG WARNING!!"

It's a pity that taking these drugs is such a risk though. I'm still in the adolescent age group I suppose, which is somewhat disconcerting. I feel so awful to think of some other guy my age, perhaps taking the same meds and fighting the same symptoms, only to come down with cancer in the process.