There are several ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Once you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you will have to work with your physician to decide on the best treatment option. Treatment options available for rheumatoid arthritis are analgesic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic DMARDs.
Humira, a biologic DMARD (human monoclonal antibody in rheumatoid arthritis), is an anti-inflammatory drug. Humira has been approved by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis treatment and treatment of gout. Humira, unlike other traditional drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis and gout treatment, is a genetically engineered protein derived from human genes.
How Does Humira Help Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Humira is an anti-inflammatory drug that binds to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the body. Thus, humira prevents from activating TNF receptors that are known to play a vital role in autoimmune diseases. Humira is effective in rheumatoid arthritis and gout treatment since it controls the inflammatory response in the body.
Review of Effectiveness of Humira in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout
Humira is effective for rheumatoid arthritis and gout treatment since it attacks specific components of the immune system unlike other drugs. Humira has been effective in reducing signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and treatment of gout. Biologic medications are better alternatives for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Side Effects of Administering Humira for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout
Though Humira is a modern-age biologic used for treating gout and rheumatoid arthritis, it can also have many side effects. Humira is usually administered as an injection and hence one of the common side effects is development of rashes at the site of injection. Side effects due to Humira infusion reactions include fevers, chills, nausea, headache, and flu-like illness.
Humira suppresses the immune system and so the scariest of all side effects is that it increases risk of reactivation of latent infections such as tuberculosis.
Continued intake of Humira can increase the risk of acquiring infections via bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Humira has led to serious and fatal blood disorders.
Side effects of Humira include liver damage and cardiac failure in rare cases.
Humira has been reported to be associated with side effects such as lymphoma and tissue cancer in some rare cases.
Psoriasis is also one of the common side effects of Humira.
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