Biologics what are the pros and cons

[Frankiefocus]

Im on 15mg methotrexate injections amd my rheumy wants to give the biologocs a try. Are they safer than mtx?

[Hidden]

I don't understand what you mean by safer. MTX is safe really. All drugs have side effects and dangers (even Paracetamol). If you are a heavy drinker then MTX will be dangerous for you, but for non drinkers or very light drinkers, your RA is just as dangerous as any drug. Your rheumatologist will ensure you have regularl blood tests to keepa check on how you are getting on. This link will lead to a download which might help. nras.org.uk/publications/me...

This link might also be helpful. arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Frankiefocus. I'm not too sure what you mean by safer, other than of course any med used incorrectly could be deemed unsafe. Biologics are pretty strong meds & with that the aim is to bring you under better control, not free of potential side effects unfortunately if that's your concern. I'd have a talk with your Rheumy if safety is a concern for you though. Meantime these three downloads may help you understand whichever med has been recommended for you nras.org.uk/jak-inhibitors nras.org.uk/anti-tnfa-treat... nras.org.uk/biologics-and-b...

I hope whichever you start you find it helpful.

[oldtimer]

Any treatment has to be compared with the effects of the disease untreated.

I think we agree that, for most people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of Rheumatoid Disease untreated.

But all medications that work have drawbacks. You have to make your own balance between the two. Learn as much as possible about the various medications suggested (look on the treatments pages on NRAS) and make your choice or choices.

[AgedCrone]

For some people...no drug is “safe”....including Aspirin!

For the rest of us we take what our rheumy prescribes from his experience, knowledge & how he knows we reacted to each drug previously prescribed.

Mtx is one of the oldest D marks prescribed...some it suits, others it doesn’t.....

Biologics are much newer but same story...some find the first Biologic they take is “the one”, others have to try a few.

You will read on here how one Biologics is the longed for drug that really works for that person..........for others it is useless.

Unfortunately with RD we often have to try many drugs before we achieve success....one thing that really helps with this disease is patience.

[helixhelix]

As others have said, all drugs have pros and cons. You can't really compare traditional DMARDs and biologics as they are such different types of drugs. The most usual comment is that you tend to have fewer side effects with biologics, but the risk of serious infections is much higher.

Only you can decide whether this is worth it for you.

[HappykindaGal]

As others said, unsure what you mean by safer. I’ve been on biologics for a year and they’ve changed my life. I haven’t had any infections, just a cold earlier in the year that came and went. My blood tests are all fine too.

If you look at the adverse risks of an aspirin you wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. Every time someone reports an adverse response, it’s added to the leaflet by the medicines advisory board.

Try them? If you’re not happy, you can always stop 😀 But you may get an improved quality of life and that would be amazing.

[weymouth321]

Some people gain weight with biologics

[Mall]

I take a biologic and methotrexate. Both are strong immunosuppressants and can have side effects. Not sure what you mean by safe. When I may have needed emergency surgery following an accident there was concern about my developing serious infection; the surgeon seemed more concerned about the biologic in my system than the methotrexate. Fortunately the emergency surgery for my fractures was avoided.

In saying this your rheumy should be able to give you full information as to risks and side effects of the drug he is thinking about and whether you will continue to take methotrexate alongside the new drug.

[LJS13]

Much safer I hate methotrexate it makes me feel so ill and I don’t think it really helps. Im still on 25mg methotrexate injections also on 40mg humira fortnightly . biologics aren’t toxic like methotrexate and I don’t get side effects or after injection pains like I do on methotrexate. Definitely worth a try

[AgedCrone]

If you have been on Mtx longer than 6 months & you still feel awful....have a discussion with your rheumatology nurse or your rheumatologist if you can get an appointment with him ....say how bad you feel, & ask how much longer do you have to feel this bad before you could try something else?

Of course we have all had to tough it out with a drug...but I always had that discussion after no improvement in 6 months.

I reckoned if I was going to feel that bad on a drug...I might as well feel just as bad without it.

[Troygirl]

Biologicals ALL Have "Black Box Warnings"

A black box warning label is the strongest warning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can place on a drug. They make companies put black box warning labels on drugs that show evidence of severe and life-threatening risks.

consumersafety.org/news/bla...

[Coriander18 in reply to Troygirl]

I know that black triangle drugs are drugs still being monitored under an EU scheme which includes all drugs in the first two years after they get into the formulary.

For example the flu jab would be black triangle every year as it's been tested and each year it has new virus strains in it.

Drugs with a rectangle which is half black (as a triangle) mean that drug is not a first line treatment and so suggest the prescriber tries something else first.

Other drugs have a rectangle with POM in the middle meaning Prescription Only Medication... so your paracetamol won't have that by it in the formulary.

The black box usually just gives you other alternatives (if you want to save money) you can see it on the page about contraceptives!!!!

Or maybe you are not in the UK and I've jumped to a conclusion... sorry. I followed the link and it went through to a Law Firm.

[Troygirl in reply to Coriander18]

Totally different.

There is no Black Box Warnings on contraceptives in America. It is however, on all these high powered biologicals.

TNF blockers have "black box" warnings, the FDA's sternest warning, about infection risk.