Matching articles for "TNF inhibitors"

Drugs for Plaque Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 30, 2024;  (Issue 1712)
Mild to moderate plaque psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs and phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic therapy. Guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis...
Mild to moderate plaque psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs and phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic therapy. Guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy, phototherapy, and systemic drugs have recently been published.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Sep 30;66(1712):153-60 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Plaque Psoriasis (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 30, 2024;  (Issue 1712)
...
View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Plaque Psoriasis
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Sep 30;66(1712):e160-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Mirikizumab (Omvoh) for Ulcerative Colitis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 18, 2024;  (Issue 1698)
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh – Lilly) for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. Mirikizumab is the first...
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh – Lilly) for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. Mirikizumab is the first selective IL-23 antagonist to be approved for this indication. Ustekinumab (Stelara), an IL-12/23 antagonist, was approved for treatment of UC in 2019. The IL-23 antagonist risankizumab (Skyrizi) is approved for treatment of Crohn's disease.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Mar 18;66(1698):46-7 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Bimekizumab (Bimzelx) for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 22, 2024;  (Issue 1694)
The FDA has approved the injectable interleukin (IL)-17A/17F antagonist bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx – UCB) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for...
The FDA has approved the injectable interleukin (IL)-17A/17F antagonist bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx – UCB) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic treatment or phototherapy. Bimekizumab is the first IL-17A/17F antagonist to be approved in the US. It was approved in the European Union for the same indication in 2021.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Jan 22;66(1694):11-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 10, 2023;  (Issue 1680)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Guidelines for treatment of UC and...
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Guidelines for treatment of UC and CD have been updated in recent years
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2023 Jul 10;65(1680):105-12 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 10, 2023;  (Issue 1680)
...
View the Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2023 Jul 10;65(1680):e115-9 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 10, 2023;  (Issue 1680)
...
View the Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2023 Jul 10;65(1680):e113 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Table: Some Drug Interactions with Drugs for IBD (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 10, 2023;  (Issue 1680)
...
View the Table: Some Drug Interactions with Drugs for IBD
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2023 Jul 10;65(1680):e114 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) for Plaque Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 20, 2023;  (Issue 1670)
The FDA has approved deucravacitinib (Sotyktu – BMS), an oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, for once-daily treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for...
The FDA has approved deucravacitinib (Sotyktu – BMS), an oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, for once-daily treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Deucravacitinib is the first selective TYK2 inhibitor to be approved in the US for any indication.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2023 Feb 20;65(1670):29-31 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Risankizumab (Skyrizi) - An IL-23 Antagonist for Crohn's Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 26, 2022;  (Issue 1666)
The injectable interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. Risankizumab...
The injectable interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. Risankizumab was approved earlier for treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2022 Dec 26;64(1666):205-7 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Upadacitinib (Rinvoq): A Second JAK Inhibitor for Ulcerative Colitis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 5, 2022;  (Issue 1658)
The FDA has approved the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib (Rinvoq – Abbvie) for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults who have had an inadequate response to...
The FDA has approved the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib (Rinvoq – Abbvie) for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults who have had an inadequate response to or cannot tolerate one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Upadacitinib is the second JAK inhibitor to be approved for this indication; tofacitinib (Xeljanz) was the first. Upadacitinib is also approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2022 Sep 5;64(1658):142-4 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 15, 2021;  (Issue 1637)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prevalent in 0.5% of adults in the US; it is about 2.5 times more common in women than in men. Guidelines for treatment of RA from the American College of Rheumatology were...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prevalent in 0.5% of adults in the US; it is about 2.5 times more common in women than in men. Guidelines for treatment of RA from the American College of Rheumatology were recently updated. The goal of treatment is to minimize disease activity and prevent irreversible joint damage.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Nov 15;63(1637):177-84 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Expanded Table: Some Biologic Drugs and JAK Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 15, 2021;  (Issue 1637)
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View Expanded Table: Some Biologic Drugs and JAK Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Nov 15;63(1637):e187-9 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Flowchart: Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 15, 2021;  (Issue 1637)
...
View the Flowchart: Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Nov 15;63(1637):e1 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

In Brief: New Warnings for Janus Kinase Inhibitors

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 4, 2021;  (Issue 1634)
The FDA has required updates to the boxed warnings in the labeling of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR), baricitinib (Olumiant), and upadacitinib (Rinvoq) describing...
The FDA has required updates to the boxed warnings in the labeling of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR), baricitinib (Olumiant), and upadacitinib (Rinvoq) describing increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, malignancy, thrombosis, and death with their use. The new warnings were prompted by the results of a postmarketing safety trial with tofacitinib and were added to the labels of baricitinib and upadacitinib based on the presumption of a class effect. The tofacitinib package insert had contained a boxed warning about an increased risk of thrombosis and mortality with a dosage of 10 mg twice daily since 2019, but the new warnings are not limited by dose.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Oct 4;63(1634):160 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Ozanimod (Zeposia) for Ulcerative Colitis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 20, 2021;  (Issue 1633)
The oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator ozanimod (Zeposia – Bristol Myers Squibb) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative...
The oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator ozanimod (Zeposia – Bristol Myers Squibb) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. It is the first S1P receptor modulator to be approved for treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ozanimod was approved in March 2020 for use in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Sep 20;63(1633):147-51 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Psoriatic Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 30, 2019;  (Issue 1588)
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis. A recent review found that about 20% of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Updated guidelines for...
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis. A recent review found that about 20% of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Updated guidelines for treatment of psoriatic arthritis have recently been published.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Dec 30;61(1588):203-10 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

In Brief: Risk of Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Death with Tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 26, 2019;  (Issue 1579)
The FDA has required updates to the labeling of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) based on interim results of a postmarketing safety trial that showed an increased risk of...
The FDA has required updates to the labeling of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) based on interim results of a postmarketing safety trial that showed an increased risk of pulmonary thromboembolism and death with a dosage of 10 mg twice daily.1 Tofacitinib is approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),2 psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

In the postmarketing trial, RA patients ≥50 years old taking methotrexate who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor were randomized to receive add-on treatment with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (the FDA-approved dosage for RA and psoriatic arthritis), tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (an approved dosage for ulcerative colitis), or a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. At the time of the interim analysis in January 2019 (~3900 patient-years of data in each group), pulmonary thromboembolism had occurred in 19 patients taking tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and in 3 patients taking a TNF inhibitor; 45 patients taking tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and 25 taking a TNF inhibitor had died. Interim data from the 5-mg twice daily group have not been made available by the FDA. After the interim analysis, patients taking the higher dose of tofacitinib were transitioned into the 5 mg twice daily group; the trial is ongoing.3

Serious, sometimes fatal thromboembolic adverse events have also occurred with use of baricitinib (Olumiant),4 another JAK inhibitor that is FDA-approved for treatment of RA. Whether an increased risk of thromboembolism is a class effect of JAK inhibitors remains to be determined; RA itself has been associated with an increased thromboembolic risk.5

The tofacitinib package insert now contains a boxed warning describing the increased risk of thrombosis and mortality with a dosage of 10 mg twice daily and emphasizes that this dosage or Xeljanz XR 22 mg once daily is not recommended for treatment of RA or psoriatic arthritis. For treatment of ulcerative colitis, tofacitinib is now only indicated in patients who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to TNF inhibitors; for these patients, the 10-mg twice daily dosage is still recommended as induction therapy for 8 weeks (can be continued for up to 16 weeks) and for maintenance treatment when there is loss of response to a dosage of 5 mg twice daily.

  1. FDA drug safety communication: FDA approves boxed warning about increased risk of blood clots and death with higher dose of arthritis and ulcerative colitis medicine tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR). July 26, 2019. Available at: www.fda.gov. Accessed August 15, 2019.
  2. Tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2013; 55:1.
  3. FDA drug safety communication: Safety trial finds risk of blood clots in the lungs and death with higher dose of tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) in rheumatoid arthritis patients; FDA to investigate. February 25, 2019. Available at: https://www.fda.gov. Accessed August 15, 2019.
  4. Baricitinib (Olumiant) for rheumatoid arthritis. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018; 60:120.
  5. IC Scott et al. Thromboembolism with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis: how real is the risk? Drug Saf 2018; 41:645.


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Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Aug 26;61(1579):136 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 17, 2019;  (Issue 1574)
Mild to moderate psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs or with phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic...
Mild to moderate psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs or with phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic therapy.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Jun 17;61(1574):89-96 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Psoriasis (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 17, 2019;  (Issue 1574)
...
View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Psoriasis
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Jun 17;61(1574):e96-103 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Risankizumab (Skyrizi) for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 3, 2019;  (Issue 1573)
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Risankizumab is the third IL-23 antagonist...
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Risankizumab is the third IL-23 antagonist to be approved for this indication; guselkumab (Tremfya) and tildrakizumab (Ilumya) were approved earlier.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Jun 3;61(1573):81-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Tildrakizumab (Ilumya) - Another IL-23 Antagonist for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 14, 2019;  (Issue 1563)
Tildrakizumab-asmn (Ilumya – Sun), an interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy...
Tildrakizumab-asmn (Ilumya – Sun), an interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Tildrakizumab is the second selective IL-23 antagonist to be approved for this indication; guselkumab (Tremfya) was the first.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Jan 14;61(1563):4-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 30, 2018;  (Issue 1552)
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used for initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission and prevent irreversible joint damage (see Table 1). DMARDs generally...
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used for initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission and prevent irreversible joint damage (see Table 1). DMARDs generally do not have an immediate analgesic effect, but over time they can control symptoms and have been shown to delay and possibly stop progression of the disease. Methotrexate (Trexall, and others) is generally the drug of choice; it can be used for patients with low, moderate, or high disease activity. For mild disease, some clinicians prefer to start with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, and generics) and/or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, and others).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 30;60(1552):123-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Baricitinib (Olumiant) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 16, 2018;  (Issue 1551)
The FDA has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib (Olumiant – Lilly) for oral treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that has not responded...
The FDA has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib (Olumiant – Lilly) for oral treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that has not responded adequately to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Baricitinib is the second JAK inhibitor to be approved for treatment of RA; tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) was the first.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 16;60(1551):120-1 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 2018;  (Issue 1550)
Management of both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) is based on disease severity. Disease location (proctitis, left-sided colitis, or extensive colitis) also plays a role in drug selection....
Management of both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) is based on disease severity. Disease location (proctitis, left-sided colitis, or extensive colitis) also plays a role in drug selection. Some drugs for induction and maintenance of remission of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are listed in Table 1.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 2;60(1550):107-14 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Table: Drugs for Ulcerative Colitis (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 2018;  (Issue 1550)
...
View Table: Drugs for Ulcerative Colitis
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 2;60(1550):e114 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Table: Drugs for Crohn's Disease (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 2018;  (Issue 1550)
...
View Table: Drugs for Crohn's Disease
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 2;60(1550):e115 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 2018;  (Issue 1550)
...
View Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 2;60(1550):e116 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 2018;  (Issue 1550)
...
View Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018 Jul 2;60(1550):e117-22 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Sarilumab (Kevzara) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 14, 2017;  (Issue 1527)
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor sarilumab (Kevzara – Sanofi) for second-line treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the second...
The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor sarilumab (Kevzara – Sanofi) for second-line treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the second IL-6 inhibitor to be approved for this indication; tocilizumab (Actemra) was approved earlier.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2017 Aug 14;59(1527):134-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Brodalumab (Siliq) - Another IL-17A Antagonist for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 17, 2017;  (Issue 1525)
The FDA has approved brodalumab (Siliq – Valeant), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A receptor antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have failed to...
The FDA has approved brodalumab (Siliq – Valeant), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A receptor antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to other systemic therapies. Brodalumab is the third IL-17A antagonist to be approved in the US for this indication; secukinumab (Cosentyx) and ixekizumab (Taltz) were approved earlier.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2017 Jul 17;59(1525):118-9 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Ustekinumab (Stelara) for Crohn's Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 2, 2017;  (Issue 1511)
The FDA has approved the human interleukin (IL)-12 and -23 antagonist ustekinumab (Stelara – Janssen Biotech) for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in adults who were intolerant of...
The FDA has approved the human interleukin (IL)-12 and -23 antagonist ustekinumab (Stelara – Janssen Biotech) for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in adults who were intolerant of or whose disease was unresponsive to treatment with immunomodulators or corticosteroids, or a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Ustekinumab was approved earlier for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2017 Jan 2;59(1511):5-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Ixekizumab (Taltz) - A Second IL-17A Inhibitor for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 9, 2016;  (Issue 1494)
The FDA has approved ixekizumab (Taltz – Lilly), an injectable humanized interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic...
The FDA has approved ixekizumab (Taltz – Lilly), an injectable humanized interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Ixekizumab is the second IL-17A antagonist to be approved for this indication in the US; secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis) was the first.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2016 May 9;58(1494):59-60 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Psoriatic Arthritis (online only)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 8, 2015;  (Issue 1470)
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that develops in up to 40% of patients with psoriasis. Several guidelines for treatment of psoriatic arthritis have been...
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that develops in up to 40% of patients with psoriasis. Several guidelines for treatment of psoriatic arthritis have been published.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2015 Jun 8;57(1470):e88-92 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Secukinumab (Cosentyx) for Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 30, 2015;  (Issue 1465)
Secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who...
Secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. It is the first IL-17 inhibitor to be approved for any indication in the US.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2015 Mar 30;57(1465):45-7 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 22, 2014;  (Issue 1458)
For initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, most expert clinicians prescribe a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and add a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a corticosteroid to...
For initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, most expert clinicians prescribe a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and add a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a corticosteroid to control symptoms. Methotrexate is generally the DMARD of choice...

DMARDs
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission, prevent irreversible damage to joints, and minimize toxicity associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. DMARDs generally do not have an immediate analgesic effect, but over time can control symptoms and have been shown to delay and possibly stop progression of the disease. Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, and others) is generally the first DMARD prescribed; it can be used to treat mild, moderate, or severe RA. For mild disease, some clinicians prefer to start with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, and generics) and/or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, and others).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Dec 22;56(1458):127-32 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Vedolizumab (Entyvio) for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 15, 2014;  (Issue 1451)
The FDA has approved vedolizumab (Entyvio - Takeda), an intravenous integrin receptor antagonist, for treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in adults who have not responded...
The FDA has approved vedolizumab (Entyvio - Takeda), an intravenous integrin receptor antagonist, for treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in adults who have not responded to, lost response to, or cannot tolerate standard treatment. Natalizumab (Tysabri), another integrin receptor antagonist, has been available for several years for treatment of Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Sep 15;56(1451):86-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 4, 2014;  (Issue 1448)
Aminosalicylates are effective for induction and maintenance of remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. They are not recommended for treatment of Crohn's disease. FORMULATIONS — Oral mesalamine...
Aminosalicylates are effective for induction and maintenance of remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. They are not recommended for treatment of Crohn's disease.

FORMULATIONS — Oral mesalamine is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and most of the drug does not reach the colon. Pentasa releases mesalamine gradually throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Delzicol, Asacol HD, Lialda, and Apriso delay the release of the drug until it reaches the distal ileum and colon. Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, and generics), balsalazide (Colazal, and others), and olsalazine (Dipentum) are prodrugs; mesalamine is azo-bonded to a second moiety and released in the colon following bacterial cleavage of the bond. Mesalamine is also available as an enema (Rowasa, and generics) and as a rectal suppository (Canasa).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Aug 4;56(1448):65-72 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Apremilast (Otezla) for Psoriatic Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 26, 2014;  (Issue 1443)
Apremilast (Otezla – Celgene), an oral phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults. It is the fi rst PDE4 inhibitor to be...
Apremilast (Otezla – Celgene), an oral phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults. It is the fi rst PDE4 inhibitor to be approved for this indication.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 May 26;56(1443):41-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Golimumab (Simponi) for Ulcerative Colitis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 31, 2014;  (Issue 1439)
The FDA has approved golimumab (Simponi – Janssen), a fully human monoclonal antibody specific for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to...
The FDA has approved golimumab (Simponi – Janssen), a fully human monoclonal antibody specific for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who do not respond to or cannot tolerate other therapies or who require continuous treatment with corticosteroids. Golimumab was approved earlier for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It is the third TNF inhibitor to be approved for use in ulcerative colitis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Mar 31;56(1439):25-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia) and Ustekinumab (Stelara) for Psoriatic Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2014;  (Issue 1435)
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia – UCB), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor previously approved for treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and ustekinumab (Stelara – Janssen), a human...
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia – UCB), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor previously approved for treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and ustekinumab (Stelara – Janssen), a human interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist previously approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, have now been approved by the FDA for treatment of active psoriatic arthritis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Feb 3;56(1435):10-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

TNF Inhibitors for Crohn's Disease: When, Which, and for How Long

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 23, 2013;  (Issue 1432)
Three tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors – infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) – are approved by the FDA for treatment of moderately to severely active...
Three tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors – infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) – are approved by the FDA for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Infliximab is also FDA-approved for the same indication in children ≥6 years old and for treatment of fistulas in adults. All 3 TNF inhibitors have been shown to reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease in clinical trials. They have been associated with adverse effects such as tuberculosis, other serious infections, and lymphoma, and they are expensive.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2013 Dec 23;55(1432):102-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Canakinumab (Ilaris) for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 19, 2013;  (Issue 1423)
The FDA has approved the interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta inhibitor canakinumab (Ilaris – Novartis) for treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA; formerly called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or...
The FDA has approved the interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta inhibitor canakinumab (Ilaris – Novartis) for treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA; formerly called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still’s disease) in children ≥2 years old. Canakinumab was approved earlier for treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Tocilizumab (Actemra), an interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor that has been available since 2010 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults, was also recently approved by the FDA for sJIA. Canakinumab is the only IL-1 inhibitor approved for this indication.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2013 Aug 19;55(1423):65-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 7, 2013;  (Issue 1407)
The FDA has approved tofacitinib (toe” fa sye’ ti nib; Xeljanz – Pfizer), an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who...
The FDA has approved tofacitinib (toe” fa sye’ ti nib; Xeljanz – Pfizer), an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of methotrexate. Ruxolitinib (Jakafi) is the only other JAK inhibitor available in the US; it is FDA-approved for treatment of myelofibrosis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2013 Jan 7;55(1407):1-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 1, 2012;  (Issue 117)
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission, prevent irreversible damage to joints, and minimize...
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission, prevent irreversible damage to joints, and minimize toxicity associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. DMARDs (Table 1) generally do not have an immediate analgesic effect, but over time can control symptoms and have been shown to delay and possibly stop progression of the disease. NSAIDs have immediate analgesic and antiinflammatory effects, but may not affect the disease process. Oral corticosteroids can relieve joint symptoms and control systemic manifestations, but their chronic use can cause many complications. Judicious use of intra-articular corticosteroids can rapidly decrease inflammation in acute joints with few, if any, adverse effects.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2012 May;10(117):37-44 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Tuberculosis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 1, 2012;  (Issue 116)
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a common cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence of drug-resistant TB poses challenges to its treatment and control. Guidelines with detailed management recommendations are...
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a common cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence of drug-resistant TB poses challenges to its treatment and control. Guidelines with detailed management recommendations are available from the American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2012 Apr;10(116):29-36 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 1, 2012;  (Issue 115)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is generally classified as either Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). More detailed guidelines on their treatment are available from the American College...
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is generally classified as either Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). More detailed guidelines on their treatment are available from the American College of Gastroenterology.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2012 Mar;10(115):19-28 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Which TNF Inhibitor for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 17, 2010;  (Issue 1338)
The FDA has approved five tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors for treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the...
The FDA has approved five tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors for treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of many systemic inflammatory disorders.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2010 May 17;52(1338):38-9 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Tuberculosis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 1, 2009;  (Issue 86)
Even though the incidence continues to decline in the United States, tuberculosis (TB) is still a common cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence of drug-resistant TB poses severe challenges to its...
Even though the incidence continues to decline in the United States, tuberculosis (TB) is still a common cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence of drug-resistant TB poses severe challenges to its treatment and control. Guidelines with detailed management recommendations are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2009 Oct;7(86):75-82 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 1, 2009;  (Issue 85)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Drug selection is guided by disease type (Crohn's versus ulcerative colitis), severity and location and whether the goal is...
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Drug selection is guided by disease type (Crohn's versus ulcerative colitis), severity and location and whether the goal is induction or maintenance of remission. Table 1 on page 66 lists the drugs used to treat IBD with their formulations and cost. Table 2 on page 68 lists the drugs of choice and their doses for different indications. Table 3 on page 71 lists the drugs' adverse effects and recommendations for monitoring. More detailed guidelines are available from the American College of Gastroenterology.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2009 Sep;7(85):65-74 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Golimumab (Simponi) for Inflammatory Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 13, 2009;  (Issue 1316)
Golimumab (Simponi - Centocor), a fully humanized anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a antibody, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of: (1) moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in...
Golimumab (Simponi - Centocor), a fully humanized anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a antibody, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of: (1) moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in combination with methotrexate; (2) active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) alone or in combination with methotrexate; and (3) active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Jul 13;51(1316):55-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 1, 2009;  (Issue 81)
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal...
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2009 May;7(81):37-46 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Advertisements for TNF Inhibitors

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 17, 2008;  (Issue 1299)
Some tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are being promoted on the internet directly to the public for use in psoriasis...
Some tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are being promoted on the internet directly to the public for use in psoriasis (www.yahoo.com).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2008 Nov 17;50(1299):89 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Abatacept (Orencia) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 27, 2006;  (Issue 1229)
Atacept (Orencia - Bristol-Myers Squibb), an inhibitor of T-cell activation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who have not responded to one...
Atacept (Orencia - Bristol-Myers Squibb), an inhibitor of T-cell activation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who have not responded to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2006 Feb 27;48(1229):17-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Tuberculosis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 1, 2004;  (Issue 28)
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a problem in the United States, even though the incidence continues to decline in most of the country (MMWR Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep 2004; 53:209). Treatment of TB can be divided into...
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a problem in the United States, even though the incidence continues to decline in most of the country (MMWR Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep 2004; 53:209). Treatment of TB can be divided into treatment of latent infection diagnosed by a positive PPD and treatment of active clinical TB. Guidelines with detailed management recommendations are available from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (MMWR Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep 2003; 52RR-11:1).
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2004 Dec;2(28):83-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Efalizumab (Raptiva) for Treatment of Psoriasis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 8, 2003;  (Issue 1171)
Efalizumab (Raptiva - Genentech/XOMA), a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits T-cell activation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque...
Efalizumab (Raptiva - Genentech/XOMA), a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits T-cell activation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2003 Dec 8;45(1171):97-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction