TNF Blockers update

[D Bergy]

Here is the latest from the FDA regarding TNF blocking drugs.

[UPDATED 08/31/2009] Supplemental Q&As added

[Posted 08/04/2009] FDA notified healthcare professionals that it has completed its analysis of tumor necrosis factor (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. This new safety information is now being added to the Boxed Warning for these products. FDA has also identified new safety information related to the occurrence of leukemia and new-onset psoriasis in patients treated with TNF blockers. The current prescribing information for TNF blockers does contain a warning for malignancies, but does not specifically mention leukemia. FDA is also requiring updates to the current Medication Guide to help patients understand the risks associated with TNF blocker therapy.

Full article at below link.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/...tyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm175843.htm

One TNF blocking treatment is not mentioned. That is the use of Turmeric which has some of the same properties, but probably not as powerful. It also is a Cancer preventative.

Dan

 

[littleone]

that gives me so much more reason to not want to take it. my doc gave me asacol with 6 weeks of entocort and after i went off the entocort, i started to feel yuckie again and he went straight from the asacol to the humira. I'm going to new docto se if he'l try something else first, THEN try the humira if all else fails.

 

[D Bergy]

Not to scare anyone, the risk of Cancer is still quite low with these treatments.

It is a matter of weighing the risk of the disease against the risk of the treatment. Pretty much the same no matter what you are treating.

Dan

 

[saidinstouch]

The other thing you have to consider is that persistent inflammation is also most likely linked to cancer due to the chemicals your body releases as part of the inflammatory response. Sometimes you have to trade one risk for another depending on how bad both are. It's all about hedging your bets and trying to live the best life you can, while considering potential effects your choices now have on the future.